SALT LAKE CITY — The post-trip blues are a very real thing, though not something you'll get much sympathy for.

Coming off the high of a vacation can be rough. After spontaneity and relaxation, being back at work in day-to-day life can be a difficult adjustment. Instead of feeling down, remember this is a great problem to have.

There may not be one easy fix, but here are some steps to take which can help with avoiding the post-trip blues.

Be glad it happened

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." This well-known quote applies to travel as well. Be happy that you've had an experience to miss. It's much better than if you hadn't gone at all.

Think of how the experience changed you, what you learned, who you met and how much you enjoyed the vacation. No one would trade a great trip in order to not miss it afterwards.

Enjoy the comforts of home

As amazing as travel is, it can also be exhausting to be out of your comfort zone. Enjoy sleeping in your own bed, using your kitchen, knowing where everything is and being organized without living out of a suitcase. When you have returned home, you don't need to look up any directions, pay for a hotel room or buy every meal out.

Go outside

Although it's important to have time for unwinding and catching up, get out and enjoy where you live after you return home. Seeing something new in your own city, meeting new people or eating at a favorite spot will help you enjoy your home and continue some of the feelings you get when you travel.

Organize photos and videos

Relive a trip by sorting and editing your pictures and videos. Blog them, order a photo book or show them to loved ones. You can even edit a little video which feels like you are re-living the trip.

Documenting can be a pain, but it is one of the best ways to remember a vacation. You'll smile looking back at your photos and feel better as you're instantly surrounded with the memories.

Re-create your trip at home

Chances are you picked up a few favorite aspects from the culture of your latest destination. Play some music from the area, cook local cuisine (or pick up take-out,) practice the language or watch a movie from that part of the world. Be creative to bring a piece of that new place back home with you.

Catch up with loved ones

You likely missed people while you were out of town. Go spend time with close friends or family and remember to enjoy the one thing no exotic destination can ever have — your loved ones. This is even better when you have souvenirs to bring back to people.

Reminisce with your travel companions

Not everyone will want to talk about details of your trip, but those who were with you will always understand and likely be missing it just as much. Even if you traveled alone, you can stay in touch with people you met along the way.

Write

Along with great photos and souvenirs, nothing compares to writing thoughts down soon after a new experience. Write down memories, quotes from the trip, foreign words learned, thoughts, observations and favorite places. Taking time to write and remember will help you realize how much you expanded your horizons.

Start planning your next trip

Whether you're able to plan a vacation for next month or next year, getting into the mindset of the next trip will change your focus and make you excited for future adventures. Plan a dream trip or just a quick weekend away. Either way, you'll channel your wanderlust into the right direction: the future instead of the past.

Emi Rigby lives in San Francisco and documents her travels around the world on her food and travel blog WellTraveledWife.com.

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