Returning from the long summer break can often mean it's not just the suitcase that's been unpacked. Having time to reflect can shift how we feel about our jobs/careers and leave us with an array of emotions. We might return determined to change job, or even career, or we might be worried or confused about our future. Here are some tips on how to banish the holiday job blues.

Ask yourself some key questions

• Is this job working for me?

• Where do I want to be in five years time?

• My boss is beginning to tick me off, do I have it in me to change careers?

7 tips for managing post-holiday job stress

1. Weigh up the pros and cons of your current situation - use SWOT.

2. Consider what can and can't be changed - you’ll be surprised what you can let go.

3. Try to strip out any emotion from your feelings towards your career/job situation - if you feel undervalued or under-powered at work, rather than complain to your line manager, write a cool-minded business proposal selling your attributes and provide indication of where you would like to be within the organisation.

4. Reflect on what is within your control, what is within your influence and what you can’t control. This will help focus the mind on next steps.

5. Research the options (online, ask friends, job boards)

6. Rewrite the script. Change negative self-talk from "I don't know" into "What if?..." and embrace the myriad options open to you.

Consider what's holding you back

Do you need to look at your future goals, improve your confidence, train in new skills? Perhaps you're feeling a bit stuck because you don't actually know what you're good at! Sometimes we just need someone to listen and help us to approach things in a more focused way.

Get help to focus

Chat to friends and family about the personal and professional qualities they think you have. Write a list - you may be surprised! If you find you're still stuck in a rut and can't make any headway in understanding your options, I'm here to help.

Book a meeting with a professional career coach for a neutral sounding board:

Email: helen.slingsby@careerbreakthrough.co.uk