It can be hard to get up out of bed and get your mind rolling after a beautiful vacation with friends and family. When you get to work, the struggle continues. Your brain feels like it’s turned to mush as you struggle to concentrate on your growing list of tasks and responsibilities.
What causes “brain mush”?
According to Jade Thomas, a BACP-registered psychotherapist and psychologist in doctoral training at the Private Therapy Clinic, this foggy mental state—popularly dubbed “brain mush”—is a common experience. In an article published Tuesday by Stylist, Thomas explained that this overwhelming feeling often stems from the lack of routine that comes with time away from work.
RELATED CONTENT: Pregnancy Brain Is Real! Here’s What Happens to Your Brain During Pregnancy
“One of the reasons why you might struggle to get back into the flow of things when returning to work following a holiday could be the disruption of your regular routine,” Thomas explained. “Routines help us to create healthy habits and feel more in control, which can reduce your stress and anxiety levels. Therefore, a break in routine can lead to us feeling a sense of uncertainty or general overwhelm.”
Brain mush could also be the result of your body being in a relaxed state post-vacation, added Thomas, so jumping back into work can feel overwhelming. The sudden shift in pace—from peaceful downtime to productive work mode—can be jolting to the body as your brain needs time to readjust.
Is there a fix?
While there’s no instant fix for the dreaded brain mush, there are small steps you can take to ease back into work after a fun vacation. Thomas recommended tackling your most demanding or dreaded tasks early in the week. This strategy helps clear the mental clutter and frees up time for lighter duties later on. But be sure not to overwhelm yourself. Experts on Quora note that prioritizing single-tasking over multitasking will help you avoid feeling overwhelmed. Taking regular breaks in between will also give your brain time to adjust back to the busy work week.
Physical activity can also make a big difference—whether it’s light cardio or a long walk—movement helps re-energize your body and mind, making the transition back to work feel a little less jarring.
RELATED CONTENT: Why Many Women Don’t Know They Have ADHD — Until It’s Too Late
