So summer is finally upon us (no, really).
With it comes the promise of longer days, easier mornings and the all-important summer break. And if your idea of the perfect summer break involves standing in a field with 20,000 other people, then you’re in luck: the UK festival season is here.
So whether it’s your first foray into festival life, or you’re a seasoned veteran, here are a few of our top tips on how to return to work after the big weekend:
Go hard and go home
Ok, let’s get this straight. We’re not telling you not to have a good time. Nor are we telling you to hold back on your festival festivities. You worked hard for weeks in anticipation of the event, and you deserve to let yourself enjoy the moment.
However, there are certain provisions you can make which might make the Monday (more likely, Tuesday) morning rush slightly more bearable. Before you go, check out the host of apps out there to help you deal with festival fall out: everything from preventing the post-festival flu by keeping an eye on the weather, to helping making sure you drink enough water throughout the weekend.
Our top tip: Arrive early on the Thursday or Friday and make the most of your time early. That way you won’t feel too guilty leaving on Sunday night with a clear head.
Man (and/or woman) up
Unless you work with a particularly reclusive bunch, or you’re enormously unexcitable, everyone in the office already knows you’re going to a festival. In layman’s terms, this means that phoning in sick is not an option.
Remember, the morning after you return is going to be a struggle, but you can get through it. Try and get a decent amount of sleep the night before (in a bed that can’t double up as an emergency flotation device), have a filling breakfast and listen to your favourite band on the commute. Just as long as you can do so without shedding a tear.
Our top tip: Message your camping companions on the way to work, and gain strength from your solidarity. You’re in this together, right until the end…
Careless talk costs livelihoods
Whatever happens at Glastonbury (Wireless/Reading/Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival) stays at Glastonbury (etc.). In other words, as soon as you get into work, you should maintain an air of perfect professionalism, no matter how demotivated and dishevelled you feel.
Undoubtedly this will apply to some professions more than others. But for any customer service role especially, save all specifics for the staffroom. Because your customers (and senior colleagues) probably don’t want to hear a step-by-step reconstruction of the time your friend almost went backstage.
So make the most of your weekend while you’re there.
Our top tip: This rule should also apply to social media (especially if you’re friends with your boss). Because incriminating status updates and pictures are not worth losing your job over.
Distract yourself
Although it’s not advisable to have a day full of meetings scheduled, the best way to take your mind off of the post-festival blues is to try and avoid thinking too much about them. Instead, come in, keep a low profile, and attempt to jump back into work.
If you just sit there all day staring out of the window and looking through your iPhone photo collection, you’re just asking for trouble.
Our top tip: Try and do some exercise before/during/after your day. The endorphins released will help with your energy levels, as well as making you feel better about your excessive consumption of overpriced fast-food and fancy fruit flavoured festival cider.
Take an extra day off
By far the most practical tip we can give. Take advantage of your bed, your bathroom, and any other facilities you may have been missing for the last few days.
And if you want to spend it wallowing in your room waving a lighter in the air listening to your playlist on repeat, who are we to judge?
Our top tip: Eat (something healthy). Sleep. Repeat.
Honourable mentions: Wear shades (where permitted), re-adjust your volume levels (no yelling), re-adjust your wardrobe (because wellies are not suitable work attire – unless you work on a farm), bathe.
Have any tips of your own? Let us know below, or tell us on twitter @reedcouk
