After a break, getting started again can feel tough. Expectations and routines have been paused, just as they should be.
But the step back into your usual rhythm can feel big. Here are 5 tips to help you get going again. Without pressure, demands, or performance.
Vacation and time off often mean a much-needed break from everyday demands and routines. Maybe your workouts were put on hold, your sleep a bit irregular, and your eating more flexible than usual. That’s completely natural. Rest and recovery aren’t just okay – they’re necessary.
When everyday life starts again, it’s common to feel a bit out of shape. Things that used to feel easy might suddenly feel hard. You know what would be good for you, but the step to get started feels big.
That’s a normal feeling. When something feels unclear or too big, it’s easy to postpone. Even if deep down we know it would be good for us.
Lower the threshold
After a break, many want to catch up on everything they missed. That’s understandable, but it can also become a trap. When demands get too high, it’s easy not to start at all. Instead, try to simplify. Start small. Really small. Maybe the first thing you do is just put on your workout clothes, or step outside for a short moment. That might be enough to get something going.
It’s not about performance. It’s about reconnecting to a routine that’s already there in the background. You don’t have to chase everything all at once. Start with what you have, where you are.
5 tips to help you get going again
- Make it easy: Set the bar so low you almost laugh at it. Two squats. A short walk. Getting started matters more than what you do.
- Create small habits where you already are: Link movement to something you already do. After brushing your teeth, do a few deep squats. After your coffee, walk around the house once. It doesn’t need to be big to have an effect.
- Prepare what you can: Lay out your clothes the night before. Have your shoes ready by the door. When the starting effort is shorter, it’s easier to get going.
- Think broadly about what exercise is: All movement counts. You don’t need to sweat at the gym for it to count. Walks, household chores, dancing in the living room – all of it counts.
- Acknowledge to yourself that you’re doing well: Say “good job” to yourself. It sounds simple, but recognizing the little you’ve done makes a big difference.
Remember: a break is not a failure, it’s part of life. And it means you don’t have to start over from scratch. You continue from where you are.
So take one step, no matter how small. Don’t put too much weight on the feeling that isn’t there yet. It often comes once you’re already moving. And every step you take today makes it a little easier to keep going tomorrow.