Post-holiday stress is very real, and not at all pretty.  After a good couple of days relaxing and having the time of your life, coming back to reality can feel overwhelming to say the least.  What with suitcases to unpack, piles of laundry to wash, a packed calendar to attend to, and the everyday hustle and bustle, feeling stressed is only natural but only if and when you do not plan to avoid it.

Yes, you can avoid it.  If you think that post-holiday stress is part and parcel of the whole holiday experience, think again.  There is one single thing you can do to avoid it.

Food planning.  Plan the before, the after, and the foreseeable future.

Food plays such an integral part in our lives and takes up so much of our energy.  With 3 meals a day plus snacks to cater for, for a family of 2, 3, 4, and sometimes more – food planning is time consuming.

Why and how will food planning help me avoid post-holiday stress?

Since food planning takes up so much of our time, planning wisely and in advance can clear up your calendar to make way for settling in at a mindful pace.

Not being prepared can backfire twofold.  Besides being overly stressful (let’s face it – coming home to an empty fridge and no menus planned out really takes all the fun out of going on holiday!); resorting to quick and unhealthy food options can take a toll on your overall health, mood and energy levels.

Over time, I’ve refined a 3-step guide to ultimate post-holiday heaven.

This is how I get myself organised a few weeks before we take off.  Aim to plan at least 3 weeks in advance.

Step 1 – Plan the before

The last week before leaving for any holiday is usually busier than your standard week.  You’re packing, fitting in appointments and last-minute errands, and trying your best to leave the house looking decent for a welcoming return.  Plan to have easy food options at the ready for this busy week.
If you start planning 3 weeks in advance, which is the minimum I would recommend, you can make a few easy adjustments to have this week’s food taken care of.  Choose 5 easy dishes in advance.  Think easy to batch cook, freezable, and easy to serve.  A couple of great ideas are curries, lasagne, a roast and a veggie omelette.  All of these options can be prepared in bulk with minimal extra effort.  You can prepare ahead and freeze.  When preparing, prepare multiple portions and think ahead.

Step 2 – Plan the after

Once you sort out your food menu for the week of the holiday, think about when you return home.  The following are the main target areas you need to prepare for.

Breakfasts, lunches & dinners

In all cases, the key here is having pre-prepared meals in the freezer ready to whip out for all 3 main meals of the day.  There are plenty of options available.  My favourite are egg casseroles for breakfast and wraps for lunch.  There are numerous recipes online.  I share my best-loved personal recipes along with preparation & freezing tips in my book.
If you’re really clever with dinner, you can prepare 3 portions of 4-5 dinners when preparing for step 1.  Let’s say, 3 weeks in advance, you prepare 3 portions of a curry, lasagne, a roast, and a veggie omelette.  Portion 1 can be eaten that same week, portion 2 the week when you leave for your holiday, and portion 3 the week when you are back.  Success?  Sounds like it!

Having a decently stocked fridge (and freezer)

This of course depends on the length of your holiday.  I have managed to come back to a decently stocked fridge and freezer after a week-long trip.  Make a list of the basics you use on a daily basis, and try and see how you can manage to have most of the items on hand when you come back.  This is my list, and how I manage.
Milk – I buy a few cartons of long life
Ham – I freeze a packet or two of roast ham slices
Cheese & yoghurt – I buy a few of these with a longer shelf life, ready to consume when we are back
Bread – I freeze a brown bread sandwich

Basics shopping list

The aim of this list is to stock up on the essential bits and pieces to get you through that first week.  Do not over-complicate matters and go off on a tangent, listing every little thing that comes to mind.  Think convenience.  Plan to make a quick stop at a nearby store which can cater to all your needs.  You can do this on the first or second day when you are back.  If you’re picking up two tired kids after a day at work, or trying to juggle housework and an active one year old, try and delegate.  It takes my husband 15 minutes to make a stop and buy what we need, but it would take me much longer.  Here’s what my list looks like:
Fruit
Veggies
Fresh milk
Bread
Anything else I need urgently and we are out of

Step 3 – Plan the foreseeable future

Your first week back is the busiest, and you need to think about the following week before you know it.  This step is crucial to avoiding post-holiday stress.  Back before I finalised my 3-step plan, and I had just steps 1 and 2 planned out, I felt somewhat overwhelmed the instant I realised the days had flown and it was already time to plan for another week yet again.

Here’s how I wrap things up.

I prepare a menu plan as well as a shopping list for the second week following the holiday. 

Genius, right?

And there you have it.  My 3-step guide to ultimate post-holiday heaven.  Forget about post-holiday stress.  Ease back into routine at your own pace with peace of mind.

For more fantastic planning tips – check out my book!  It is LOADED with valuable tricks to help you make the most out of your time, so you can maximise your days & make time for things you love most.

Until next time mamas! xxx