Get Rid of the Ghost of "Post-Holiday Blues" After the Eid Holidays Are Over

"Post-holiday blues" often creep into people's minds when starting work after a long holiday. How to solve it?

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A state civil servant (ASN) checks his work on a computer screen at the DKI Jakarta City Hall building, Tuesday (16/4/2024).

Free time, gathering with family, reunions with colleagues, or enjoying the calm of waking up from a nap are things that pass after the Eid holiday is over. This condition, for some people, can trigger feelings of emptiness, sadness or lack of enthusiasm when returning to work.

This can be categorized as post-holiday blues, namely an unpleasant feeling or mood after the holidays. This could be feeling sad, empty, annoyed, or feeling like the holiday was too short.

Dinda Annisa Anggraini (31), for example. The employee of a Japanese trading company in Jakarta felt lethargic when he had to return to work starting Tuesday (16/4/2024). Free time to gather with family is finally over after 10 days of Eid holidays.

“Because I have to go home again tonight. During the fasting month, he comes home quickly. "When I'm on holiday, I don't think about work," said Dinda.

AGUIDO ADRI

The atmosphere on the first day of work at the Jakarta DKI City Hall, on Tuesday (16/4/2024), after the Eid holiday. The DKI Jakarta provincial government did not implement WFH.

However, her mood was slightly lifted on her way to the office that day. During the journey to the office, she enjoyed the cool and bright morning weather. Moreover, according to Dinda, her colleagues at the office were very pleasant on her first day of work.

At that time, Dinda also started thinking about how to manage her work and leisure time. She planned to maximize her working hours to complete various tasks. With this in mind, she thought that she wouldn't need to work overtime, which would result in longer hours at the office.

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If that happens, Dinda wants to share her free time for recreation with her family and developing her own potential. "I want the value of the Japanese language that I have to develop even better," said the graduate of Japanese Literature from Jenderal Soedirman University.

A different situation is experienced by Ardi Wirawan (32), a freelance worker in the field of car sales in Bekasi City, West Java. He tends to have no problem with free time in his work life. As a freelance worker, he is relatively unbound by working hours.

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Ardi Wirawan (32), a freelance worker in the field of car sales in Bekasi City, posed at one of the shopping centers in Bekasi, West Java, on Tuesday (16/4/2024).

The phenomenon of post-holiday blues is normal and not a clinical disorder

However, at the end of this Lebaran holiday season, Ardi lost a little bit of quality time with his wife and two children. This is because his wife is a teacher who works from Monday to Friday.

"It's a shame that time with my wife is limited," said Ardi.

In addition, Ardi also notices his wife's lack of enthusiasm as they enter the post-holiday work period. Based on his experience, he must adjust to his wife's condition to keep her mood positive.

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For example, after picking up his wife from school, he often takes his family out for a stroll. He is also aware that his wife has a hobby of combining their children's clothing. One of them is when his wife designs a dress for their child using various colors and a beret hat.

"So, I facilitate him to have time to develop his hobby," he said.

Organize your thoughts

The phenomenon of post-holiday blues is normal and not a clinical disorder. This was conveyed by clinical psychologist Rio Dwi Setiawan.

According to him, this phenomenon can be overcome through structured thinking. For example, one can rearrange their work schedule and other activities after the Eid holiday. This can help someone to restart their routine after enjoying leisure time during the vacation.

The actions that Ardi does towards his wife, according to Rio, greatly support someone to carry out work routines with a positive mood and mindset. A calm and happy state of mind, Rio says, will also support productivity and health.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Silhouettes of state civil servants (ASN) during their activities on their first day of work at the DKI Jakarta City Hall building, Tuesday (16/4/2024).

A supportive work environment, like what Dinda experienced, also helps ensure that the "ghost" of post-holiday blues doesn't spread in the early days of work after a long holiday. Office friends who support each other also make someone's mood comfortable in carrying out their routine.

To prevent work routine from becoming monotonous, Rio also suggests that workers try something new. If it is relevant to work, it has the potential to increase work motivation, personal development, and even career growth.

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This can affect both mental health and productivity in living as a worker. Nevertheless, it emphasizes the importance of maintaining a balance between work and vacation.

"Both are carried out with full awareness and seriousness," said the psychologist from Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

Workplace support

Rio stated that companies or employers also need to maintain the productivity of their workers. During the early days of work after the Eid al-Fitr holiday, it is highly recommended for companies not to immediately give heavy workloads.

Furthermore, giving employees too many tasks at once. Companies, as Rio stated, need to understand that everyone needs time to readjust.

"It is also advisable to give employees a transition period before they return to work. For example, in the context of after this Idul Fitri holiday, we can start with a halal bi halal gathering first," he said.

With that explanation, in reality, work productivity after the Eid al-Fitr holiday is supported by many factors. In addition to managing one's thoughts and oneself, the work environment and workplace also contribute to a positive mood and comfortable working atmosphere after a long holiday. Have a balanced work and vacation!