Our last summer: dealing with holiday blues

As August draws to an aptly British rainy and windy close, the same feeling that I get at the end of every summer begins to creep up on me. The holiday blues de-rail my last couple of weeks of summer, as I reflect on a time where I was laid by a pool all day tanning instead of being wrapped up in a blanket and frantically trying to remember where I put my university student card.

But what are the holiday blues? And how can you fix them before they begin to take over your life and you end up repeatedly listening to ‘Our Last Summer’ by ABBA in an attempt to stop yourself from the inevitable spiral that will occur?

Firstly, easing back into a routine can prove incredibly useful. University (whilst not always a de-stressor!) can really aid in taking your mind off things and providing a constant distraction in your day-to-day life. But it is important not to over-fill your time. It isn’t easy coming back from a holiday and adjusting straight back to your everyday life. Give yourself some grace and take a little bit of time each day to relax and leave room for enough downtime.

Another tip is to take care of your body! At risk of sounding like a mother hen, your body is your vessel, and it is crucial to keep it healthy and functioning. Keep moving, and take a short walk every day, to keep your energy and mood up. From my personal experience, sitting around at home and thinking about your holiday is not going to make you feel better in the slightest!

Sticking with the getting out of the house theme, contact your friends! I can guarantee that if they have been on holiday anytime recently, they are probably feeling exactly the same as you are. Meeting up for something as simple as a matcha or a shopping trip could be just the thing you need to take your mind off the low feeling you're experiencing.

Lastly, a mindset shift may just be the thing you need. Instead of reflecting on your holiday through a negative lens, a change of perspective can help. Just remember how lucky you were to even go on holiday in the first place and experience someone else’s culture. Do not take for granted what a privilege it is to leave your home country and everyday life for a relax in the sun!

If you need something to look forward to, think about your upcoming trip. I always love to make a Pinterest board for any future holiday’s I want to consider and give myself some excitement for the next summer!

And as the ABBA song states, “Our last summer, memories that remain”. Print the photographs, and reminisce on the memories that you made this summer. After all, we will always have next year, and each summer seems to be better and longer than the last.