As parents, juggling work, childcare, and household duties after an extended Chinese New Year break can feel overwhelming. The transition back to routine doesn’t have to be stressful—with a little planning and the right mindset, you can ease back into productivity while keeping the festive spirit alive.
By organising your space, resetting habits, and balancing responsibilities with self-care, you can smoothly transition back to normal life while still carrying the warmth of the holiday season with you.
Here are seven simple ways to get back on track after the holiday break.
Declutter and Refresh Your Space
After weeks of feasting, hosting, and family gatherings, your home may still have lingering decorations, unopened gifts, and leftover goodies cluttering the space. A clean and refreshed environment can help shift the mood from “holiday mode” to a motivated mindset.
Actionable Tip: Involve the kids in tidying up—turn it into a “good luck sweep” to start the year with fresh energy. Assign simple tasks like sorting red packets, organising toys, or dusting furniture.
Bonus: If you have unopened gifts or excess snacks, consider donating them to local charities. Sharing good fortune extends the festive spirit beyond your home.
Get Back to a Structured Sleep Routine
Late-night mahjong sessions, family dinners, and relaxed mornings can throw everyone’s sleep schedule off track. Both parents and kids may find it hard to wake up early for work and school.
Actionable Tip: Gradually adjust bedtime by 15–30 minutes earlier each night until everyone is back to their regular schedule. Consistency is key.
Bonus: Create a calming bedtime routine—switch off screens an hour before bed, play soft music, or read a bedtime story to ease kids (and yourself!) into sleep mode.
Reset Eating Habits with Healthier Choices
The Chinese New Year holiday is a time for delicious indulgence, but post-holiday sluggishness can be a sign that it’s time to bring balance back. Instead of extreme dieting, focus on nutrient-rich, home-cooked meals that nourish the body and mind.
Actionable Tip: Plan simple, healthy meals for the week ahead. Start with lighter options like soups, lean proteins, fresh vegetables, and whole grains.
Bonus: Involve the kids in meal prep! Let them wash veggies, mix ingredients, or assemble their own meals—it makes healthy eating fun and encourages independence.
Ease Back into Work and Productivity
Returning to work after a long break can feel daunting, especially when emails have piled up and to-do lists seem endless. The key is to transition gradually rather than diving in headfirst.
Actionable Tip: Start with a “brain dump”—write down all pending tasks, then prioritise them based on urgency. Tackle small, quick tasks first to build momentum before taking on bigger projects.
Bonus: If possible, schedule lighter workdays after the holidays to help ease back into the flow instead of overwhelming yourself on Day 1.
Reintroduce Learning and Play for Kids
If your little ones have been off school or daycare, getting them back into an active learning mindset can be a challenge. Instead of jumping straight into homework and strict schedules, make learning fun!
Actionable Tip: Gradually reintroduce structured activities such as reading time, puzzles, or simple educational games to warm up their focus before school resumes.
Bonus: Turn CNY experiences into learning moments—ask your child to draw their favourite memory; write a short story about their celebrations; or learn about their zodiac animal.
Balance Household Chores with Self-Care
If you’ve been away on a CNY holiday break, getting back to reality is a chore. From unpacking luggage and doing laundry to restocking groceries and getting back into work mode, you may be trying to speed through all your household chores. However, burning yourself out won’t help anyone.
Actionable Tip: Break chores into manageable tasks—focus on one key area per day instead of trying to clean the whole house at once.
Bonus: Schedule self-care into your routine—even if it’s just a short walk, a quiet cup of tea, or a 10-minute break to unwind after putting the kids to bed.
Keep the CNY Spirit Alive with Small Traditions
Just because the holiday is over doesn’t mean you have to forget about the joy and togetherness it brought. Keeping small traditions alive can help carry that happiness into the months ahead.
Actionable Tip: Continue practising gratitude by writing down one “good fortune” each day—something that made you smile, a small success, or a happy moment with family.
Bonus: Plan a fun family outing or a simple post-holiday dinner to celebrate the start of the year. It doesn’t have to be extravagant—even a picnic, a home-cooked meal, or a board game night can keep the festive feeling going.
Take small steps, be kind to yourself, and remember—the holiday may be over, but the positive energy it brought can last all year long!
Photo by Daniel Huniewicz on Unsplash