- Give yourself some time to recover.
After a long journey, it’s tempting to jump right back into work—check emails, finish up tasks, or make up for lost time. But in reality, your body and mind need a moment to adapt. The body has not yet had time to adapt — the body is tired, the brain is distracted, and the nervous system is working in anticipation of the next change of environment. That’s why the first and most important tip is to give yourself 30–60 minutes of calm, without pressure or rushing. Take a shower, change into something comfortable, drink some water, or simply sit in silence. Even a short walk or 10 minutes of stretching can recharge you better than a double shot of coffee. If you can, open a window—let in some fresh air and daylight. When you give yourself some time to rest, your body will be ready to start working more productively.
- Eat something right after you arrive.
Often, when travelling, people eat irregularly, overeat or only snack. This throws your body off balance, even if you don’t notice it immediately. That’s why one of the best things you can do upon arriving is to calmly sit down and have a proper meal. Ideally, prepare something light, warm, and nourishing: soup, porridge, an omelet with vegetables, some fish, or a simple stew. Avoid heavy food—it’ll only add to the fatigue. This little habit helps you get back to your normal rhythm of life and get ready to work.
- Do not start work with large tasks.
One of the most common desires after a trip is to tackle everything at once, as if the time spent on the road needs to be urgently ‘worked off’. But this is one of the mistakes that takes more energy than it gives results. Even if you think you have enough strength, your mind and body are not yet in a working rhythm. And if you start with something large-scale, there is a risk of burning out quickly, stopping or doing it poorly. It’s much more efficient to tackle simpler tasks at once. For example, review your to-do list, reply to a few simple messages, organize your workspace, or make a short plan for the day. Such simple actions are like a warm-up for the brain. This is how you can tune to in working and gradually move on to more complex tasks.
- Avoid social media and unnecessary distractions.
After a journey, people often automatically reach for their phones. But when you start reading news, messages, and watching videos, your brain, which hasn’t yet switched into working mode, is instantly carried away by the light flow of information. This is quite natural, as after a trip, your body is tired, your attention is scattered, and social media seems to be the easiest way to unwind at this moment. The problem is that after such relaxation, it is difficult to return to work. Concentration is lost, internal tension appears, and ordinary tasks begin to seem too complicated or irritating. To avoid this, it’s best to turn off notifications, close all unnecessary tabs, and just be in silence for the first hour or two after arrival. It’s not isolation, but an opportunity to be with yourself and give your brain a little rest from external noise. At this time, it is better to concentrate on something calm — for example, unpacking, cooking, organizing your thoughts. When there are no constant distractions, the brain recovers faster, and you can get back into the work rhythm more easily.
- Use the novelty effect.
Sometimes, the best way to get back into work mode after a trip is to bring a little something new into your day. It could be anything — a fresh notebook, a new way to structure your to-do list, a different planning app, or even rearranging your desk. Small changes like these can bring a sense of freshness and make starting easier. The brain responds well to novelty. Therefore, when something unusual and new appears, interest is activated, energy and a desire to act appear. For example, instead of reopening your usual to-do list, try making it in a new form — as an idea map, in the form of notes, or using a different interface. This will not only refocus your attention, but also make you feel like you’re starting from scratch. All of this helps you to adjust your internal state and smoothly get into the working rhythm and be productive.
After a long journey, the body often feels tired and exhausted, which can negatively affect productivity. One useful tip for restoring energy is the use of medications like Armod and Modavigil. They can be helpful when you need to quickly get back into an active state after a long trip, especially if you need to regain your ability to work or focus after prolonged sitting in transport. These medications help increase alertness, improve reaction time, and enhance concentration, allowing you to adapt more quickly to new conditions and start acting productively.
