¡¥AIN¡¦T NO SUNSHINE WHEN IT¡¦S GONE¡K. ONLY DARKNESS EVERYDAY¡K. CiC TACKLE POST HOLIDAY BLUES

Leading Employee Assistance Programme Provider, CiC (www.cic-eap.co.uk ) are releasing a fact sheet, ¡¥Returning from Holiday¡¦, to help employees realise the causes of post holiday stress, and look at simple and practical steps to get over the difficult readjustment back to ordinary life.

With our British Summer being recorded as the wettest since 1914 and floods hitting several parts of UK, many people have opted to escape the misery and find delight in the sunshine of other countries around the world. Whilst holidays hold the hope of making our problems disappear, the reality is that our emotional baggage stays with us and many of us return home feeling demoralized that the drudgery of daily life is resuming after the carefree joys of the past weeks. Within their fact sheet, CiC identify a number of factors that contribute to post holiday stress:

„X Relationship Stress ¡V the fast pace of modern day society can paper over the cracks in personal relationships, yet when we are on holiday with little to do these cracks become exposed for all involved to see. Returning home can leave us feeling confused and depressed about the reality that we have become aware of. Holiday romances are also a source of stress. Almost always these romances become idealised and perfect in our minds leading to a feeling of dissatisfaction when we are faced with the realities of living with others long term
„X Financial Stress ¡V Holidays are often extremely expensive, especially when there is a family. The financial burden leaves people under considerable pressure as they account for the total cost when they return home.
„X Fatigue ¡V In many cases, holidays are not the restful breaks people hope for. Unforeseen difficulties such as flight delays and cancellations can have a huge impact on people. Late nights and higher alcohol consumption can also play a large part is people returning home feeling un-rested and depressed.

However CiC stress that there are steps that can be taken to alleviate post holiday blues, and suggest a few tips for staying sane & healthy and beating those blues:

„X Making a list of things that you need to catch up with will allow to get through everything in bite sized pieces
„X Ease yourself back into routines and day to day life. Don¡¦t try and do everything at once ¡V tasks that you face can wait for another day or so while you readjust to ¡¥normal¡¦ life
„X Plan fun activities to do and set aside time to spend with friends and catch up. Just because your holiday is over it does not mean that you have to stop having fun
„X If you feel that the life you have come back to is predictable and mundane, think about a new hobby or project that can renew the creativity and vitality in your life

CiC also offer a 24 hour Confidential Care Adviceline for those who simply cannot escape post holiday blues and feel that there are deeper problems that need to be resolved.


For further information contact Beccy Whittles, Max PR: 020 8334 5749 / beccy@maxpr-events.com
Logo and Visuals available from http://www.maxpr-events.com/gallery_14.html
Kate Nowlan, CEO of CiC, available for interview