Turning the "Monday Blues" into “Bring on Monday”

“Winter is Coming” reminiscing Ned Stark on Game of Thrones heroically foretelling the terrible events that lay ahead in the seasons and storyline.?

Winter gives us the chills, a lack of sunlight, mixed weather, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or stress due to wanting to finish the year “strong” and looking to end positively regarding performance concludes with numerous potential negative health outcomes. Understandably there are more psychological, physiological and emotional factors that can come into play however this can be overcome by tackling the Monday Blues. However, with the right mindset and proactive approach, we can transform Mondays into a source of motivation and positivity.

How do we see Mondays? Anticipating Monday:

You’ve had a great weekend with family or friends socialising, celebrating, playing/watching sports, or feasting and now the time to rest and recharge has ended. Monday morning’s alarm has rung, vibrating the eardrum to call it’s time to wake up! How do you feel when this sounds blasts?

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Mondays have a special social significance in our culture as the beginning of the week and this can influence our mood, health goals and outcomes for the week ahead. The 7-day week and its meaning are generally associated start of a new week in our social construct. A 2021 United States nationwide survey conducted by the Data Decisions Group for The Monday Campaigns found that 11% of people associated Monday with the “day to dread”. Many flip the anxiety of Monday into a view for an opportunity for a “fresh start” (40%) or a day to “get my act together” (18%).?

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Multiple studies indicate that Monday is the worst day of the week mentally and physically, for example, a study conducted by The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities found that 74% of those aged 18-24 experienced heightened anticipatory anxiety through stress and sleeplessness in Britain and Google found after 5 pm on Sundays that thoughts turn to the week ahead as a statistic from Google Searches illustrate that people look for help as anxiety searches have increased 170% over the past decade.?

So which side of Monday do you feel, “Monday Blues” or “Motivated Monday”??

If you do feel blue and stressed coming into the week, what methods can help you reduce this feeling? How can turn feeling anxious about Monday psychology into looking forward to a new week ahead??

This article will explore techniques that you can look to implement on Monday and will provide practical examples of simple habits to introduce to think positively about what’s ahead to Monday and the week!

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Here are 10 ways to make Monday a great day!

1) Well, before Monday is Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – Prepare for a new week and Monday

• Monday may seem far away when it’s Friday but as we all know, Monday turns around quickly. The best way to feel better and mentally prepared for Monday will be to plan out your schedule for the week ahead with a plan. Creating this will elevate the pressure leading into Monday without any clue what to expect and what to do.?
• Use Friday afternoon ideally to set aside time to conduct this as we don’t want to disturb your weekend activities!

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2) Prioritize Sleep but don’t lay in!

• Dalai Lama quoted saying “Sleep is the best form of meditation and there are numerous health benefits to getting a well-rested and peaceful sleep however don’t overdo it by pressing the snooze button on a Monday! The results will impact you feeling more groggy, slow, and feel Monday is a drag already. Wake up on time and climb out of bed, be ready and go!

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3) Don’t be a Monday hater! Reframe the way you look at your Mondays:

• “Mondays are the start of the work week which offer new beginnings 52 times a year” (David Dwek). Today you have an opportunity to achieve something that many people don’t have a chance to do!

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4) Start Monday the right way:

• “Morning is an important time of day because how you spend your morning can often tell you what kind of day you are going to have” Lemony Snicket
• This can be starting the day by wearing something that feels good, rethinking breakfast (make it satisfying and healthy), implementing a morning ritual, getting physical, connecting with your colleagues or doing a random act of kindness!

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5) Achieve an easy goal to complete on Monday:

• Create a goal that will be easy to achieve on Monday and that will make you proud of doing!
• Schedule work that has tangible results on a Monday

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6) Prioritize Wellness - Make Monday Day One to Achieve your Next Life Goal:

• Whether it’s starting something new, quitting a bad habit, doing a new challenge, or spending more time with the family. Research strongly indicates that starting new habits on a Monday will be more habitual than any other day of the week!
• Examples to do; Meatless Monday, Move it Monday, Quit and Stay Quit Monday, Read a Book Monday, Monday Cookery Club with the Children!

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7) Be Organised and Productive on Monday:

• Starting the workweek in productivity mode is key to being ready. An Accountemps survey discovered that Monday statistically is the most productive day of the week citing 29% got the most work done on Monday, be a part of the statistic and build that momentum for the rest of the week. Don’t play catch up by not starting Monday correctly!

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8) Create a Positive Environment:

• Monday can feel low physically, emotionally, or/and mentally so create a setting you know will elevate your focus, positivity and productivity whether that’s playing upbeat music, making your environment clean, organise the equipment you’re using, creating space rather than mess as this can cause distraction and stress and/or surround yourself with people you can connect with positively!

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9) Plan something fun, “Treat Yo’ Self”:

• “Treat Yo’ Self” is a regularly reoccurring line by Donna from the Parks and Recreation show and is a day that Donna and her friend Tom spend lavishing themselves with whatever their heart desires! Plan something on Monday to look forward to or have something planned sometime in the week that you can aim toward.

10) Embrace it’s a new day

- Monday is typically the first working/educating day of the week so this is another day you can work and strive towards your purpose and life goal.?

- Embrace that this is a new day, a new opportunity, another chance to conquer your goals, and a day to be grateful. Practice gratitude, take some time out to be grateful for what you have in your life

- Look in Ikigai as this will help you align to finding a purpose and think bigger so you can find your North Star.

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Summary:

As we navigate the challenges of Monday, let's shift our mindset and approach the week with enthusiasm and purpose. By implementing these 10 strategies, we can transform Monday from a day of dread to a day of opportunity and achievement. Embrace the new day, set positive intentions, and let's make Mondays a source of motivation on our professional journey.