Many professionals feel the need to overcompensate for time away from work after returning from vacation, which can lead to stress and undermine the recuperative benefits of time off. Researchers Darin Rowell and Kandi Wiens emphasize that taking breaks from work is essential for sustained performance, mental health, and overall well-being. They suggest several strategies to help individuals resist the urge to overwork after vacations and to maintain the benefits of their time off.
  

Key Points: 

1. Time off from work, or “work recovery,” is crucial for overall performance, helping in reducing exhaustion, increasing job satisfaction, and boosting creativity.
2. Despite the clear benefits, many workers hesitate to take time off due to fears of falling behind or impacting their career progression.
3. To avoid overworking after vacation, strategies include shifting to a performance mindset where recovery is integral to performance, preventing “reentry shock” with buffers like a “no meetings” day post-vacation, and incorporating vacation activities that aid relaxation into regular routines.
4. Establishing boundaries about work availability and delegating tasks can also help manage post-vacation workloads.
5. Before taking time off, planning in advance, like setting up a reentry routine and conducting a premortem to foresee challenges, can make the transition back to work smoother.

Source: https://hbr.org/2023/09/stop-overworking-after-vacation