How To Manage a Vacation Hangover: Tips and Tricks

You just walked through your front door. The air inside your apartment smells different—stale, perhaps, compared to the salty ocean breeze you breathed in only hours ago. Your suitcase sits in the hallway, a heavy, zipper-straining reminder that reality starts tomorrow at 9 AM.

We know that specific sinking feeling. It hits harder than the jet lag. You spent a week curating the perfect outfits and sipping Aperol Spritzes by the coast, and now you face a calendar full of meetings and an inbox overflowing with unread emails. It’s important to know how to manage a vacation hangover. We’ve got tips and tricks here.

Flush Out the Toxins Immediately

Your body took a hit. Between the recycled plane air, the deviation from your normal diet, and those late-night cocktails, your system is likely screaming for a reset. Travel leaves you dehydrated and sluggish. You must tackle the physical symptoms before you can fix your mood.

Start drinking water the second you land. If you really pushed the limits, you might need aggressive measures. Think about how celebrities use IV hydration therapy after a weekend in Vegas to snap back to life; you need that same level of dedication to your recovery. Load up on electrolytes, green juice, and vitamins. Your skin will thank you, and that headache will fade much faster.

Destroy the Suitcase Monster

Do not let that bag sit in the corner of your bedroom for two weeks. It becomes a visual symbol of the fun being over, a clutter pile that drags down your mental state. Attack it immediately.

Unpacking is the quickest way to reclaim your space and tell your brain that you are home. Turn on a podcast, pour a glass of wine (just one), and get it done.

• Separate the Laundry: Dump everything dirty directly into the washer or hamper.
• Reset Your Toiletries: Put your skincare and makeup back in their bathroom spots instantly.
• Hide the Luggage: Put the empty suitcase in the closet, the garage, or under the bed. Get it out of your sight.

Bring the Vacation Aesthetic to the Office

Part of the sadness comes from putting away the vacation version of yourself. But you don’t have to retire that persona completely. Incorporate elements of your trip into your daily routine. Did you buy a great silk scarf in Italy? Wear it to work on Tuesday. Did you find a new favorite scent in a duty-free shop? Make it your daily perfume.

Fashion bridges the gap between your travel life and your real life. When you dress better, you feel better. Avoid the temptation to slump around in sweatpants for three days. Dress up for your first day back. It acts as armor against the mundane routine.

The absolute best cure for the post-vacation blues? A new itinerary. You don’t need to book the flight today, but you can start the Pinterest board. Having something on the horizon changes your perspective. It shifts your mindset from “the fun is over” to “the next adventure is coming.”

Use your restless energy to research your next destination. It keeps the excitement alive and gives you a reason to hustle through the work week. Manage a vacation hangover with these tips and tricks and get ready for what’s to come.