ALARM clocks across the Southern Downs have sprung to life this week as many head back to work after the Christmas break.

For those experiencing sleep-in withdrawals and a desire to nap every few hours, you're not alone.

Lucky for you, we've called in the experts to get you switched back on again and to help you break out of that cosy bubble we call holiday mode.

Peak performance coach Ian Stephens shared his top three tips for getting back to the grind.

"I'm a peak performance coach, so I'm all over how to jump-start back into work mode," he said.

"What people need to understand is that the subconscious mind can't tell fact from fiction and there are a couple of ways to fool your mind back into (work mode).

"The first one is to actually sit at your work space and visualise a time when you were really productive at work.

"I did this yesterday morning and it worked a treat."

Mr Stephens said it was important to see where you were at that time, hear what you said to yourself and feel how it felt to be in that productive zone.

When you do this, your subconscious mind is fooled into thinking you're actually back in that moment.

Tip number two is about boosting concentration levels.

"Concentration power is just like a muscle and if you don't use it, you lose it," he said.

"So here's what I suggest: you pick a task that needs to be done, set a stopwatch on your iPhone and give yourself 20 minutes to get the job done. Have no other distractions, answer no phones, concentrate fully on the task at hand and try and beat the clock. It might be tough, but it pays off."

Mr Stephens said this was exercise for your brain which was forced to use muscle memory to fall into a productive state and concentrate.

Tip number three is one that would resinate with most: facing the dreaded email inbox.

"In your inbox set up three new folders; call one 'urgent', call the second one 'for

tomorrow' and the third 'for later," Mr Stephens said.

"Just spend 30 minutes clicking and dragging emails into these three files.

"If you have 500 emails, by the end of sorting, you'll probably only have 20 or so that need your attention first thing.

"The others you can get to later."

Simple as that, huh?

Well, there is only one way to find out...

Dom's tips

Dom Benz of Westpac has four top tips for getting back to work after the holidays:

•  Take it easy
•  Ease in - don't do it too quickly
•  Try and remain calm
•  Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere that comes with the festive season