I think we’ve all experienced that sense of dread as Monday rolls around. Feeling ‘blue’ with the lead up to the working week, commonly known as ‘The Monday Morning Blues’ is quite relatable for a lot of us. Most people begin to feel ‘blue’ on a Sunday, given that Sunday signifies the end of the weekend.
Why are Mondays so dreaded?
We tend to overwork ourselves during the work week, at times telling ourselves the more we get done, the more time we will have to relax over the weekend, recharge and have some fun. Yet, this isn’t always the case. Weekends tend to be busy and although we might have fun things planned, staying up late and having too much on, can quickly contribute to feelings of exhaustion by the time Monday arrives. This means that our mind and body haven’t had the opportunity to unwind and prepare us for the next five working days. The thought of having to get through another five days of work (or more) before a day off again can give rise to that sense of dread.
Here are some tips to help with managing the Monday Morning Blues….
- Set some time aside on a Sunday evening to engage in a low-key activity. Why not have a bath, do some reading, or engage in some mindfulness? This will help to make you feel more rested and is a good way to end the weekend. That, coupled with an early night and a good night’s sleep can help give you that extra energy boost to start the working week.
- Prepare the night before. Pack your lunch, get your bag ready and decide what to wear. This will help to make Monday’s run a bit smoother and can be helpful to adopt each day of the working week, to aid with timeliness and reduce the chance of running late in the mornings.
- Get up early on Monday and go for a brisk walk. This helps to get you energised. Give yourself ample time to have some brekkie, read the paper and that way you’re not rushing. If you’re not a breakfast person, take something on the go to snack on later in the morning.
- Take regular breaks throughout the working day. Not just on Monday, but every day. Regular breaks help with concentration, performance and productivity, and contributes to your overall wellbeing. Taking regular breaks also means that you are less tired by the end of the working week. If you are interested in reading more about the benefits of breaks throughout the workday, follow the link below [1].
- Schedule in enjoyable activities throughout the week, rather than leaving all the ‘fun stuff’ to the weekend.
- Rather than catching up with friends or family on a weekend, why not try to be social on a Monday night. Family and friends will likely be more available, and you can have something to look forward to on Monday night.
- Friday tends to be a treat day. Why not shift this to a Monday? Treat yourself to something nice like lunch with a work colleague, make the effort to go for a walk at lunchtime or grab a coffee on your tea break. Why not eat out for dinner or get take-out? Try to make Monday a day to look forward to.
- If you try some of these suggestions and yet you STILL find yourself dreading Mondays, then I would suggest trying to uncover why Mondays make you feel so blue. It may be time to reconsider your career or job and find something more suited to you. Maybe a conventional 9-5, Monday to Friday, isn’t for you. Or maybe you haven’t taken leave in quite some time. Often, if we have reached the point of burnout, we may need more than a couple of days to recharge, so some time off might just do the trick.
If you would like some support with managing the Monday Morning Blues, why not give us a call? Our psychologists are here to help.
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This blog was written by Maria Kampantais, psychologist at Your Mind Matters Psychology Services. She works with us 4 days per week (day and evening sessions) and is passionate about working with clients suffering from various anxiety disorders. |