Bye bye Monday...Hello Tuesday!
If the Van Dale dictionary was entirely honest, the definition of ‘Monday’ would not only read “the first day of the week”, but also “trudging from your desk to the coffee machine accompanied by persistent morning grumpiness”. British psychologist Cliff Arnall has even conducted research into it. According to his calculations, the third Monday of January would be the most depressing day of the year. The reason? Poor weather, failing to keep New Year’s resolutions and the holidays are still far away. Whether his calculation is actually supported scientifically is questionable… but the fact of the matter is, many people find it difficult to get started and get through Monday. Fortunately, we have a few tips to help you through your Monday mini-depression.
1. Plan your Monday ahead of time
Start your battle with the Monday blues on Friday. How? Do not postpone undesirable tasks until the start of the new working week, but take care of them on Friday. With the weekend beckoning, there is a better chance you will finish the tasks more quickly, and avoid getting out of bed on Monday morning with a knot in your stomach. Should you still have a tedious task to take care of on Monday, plan it as early as possible. Do you have an uncomfortable conversation with a customer, colleague or boss on the agenda? Then get it over with quickly and efficiently, and in this way avoid having to walk around the whole day with a nagging feeling.
2. Make sure you can relax and enjoy yourself on Monday evening
Try to nip the Monday blues in the bud by scheduling time to relax on Monday: plan to have lunch with your favorite colleagues, go out for a drink with friends in the evening or catch a film in the cinema. That way you have something to look forward to, which is always nice.
3. Take a break on time
Try to arrange a few breaks during your day; this way you can avoid dips in your energy level. For that matter, you should do this each day, and not just on Mondays. Regularly take (short) breaks to think of something else and clear your head. Don’t stay at your desk; take a short walk. A change of scenery can have a positive effect on your battle against the Monday blues. Your lunch break is also very important. Take your time to enjoy lunch and have a chat with your colleagues.
4. Relax during the weekend
It is sometimes tempting to open your mailbox on Sunday evening to get an idea of what awaits you. Don’t do it. Before you know it, you will start putting unnecessary pressure on yourself or start answering questions that can easily wait. The weekend is should be your time to relax, and you cannot recharge your batteries if you are constantly using them. Plan a pleasant day out or spend time pursuing your hobby.
5. Get enough sleep and get out of bed earlier
Sleep is crucial for your mood. If you stay up late at night watching TV, there is good chance you will have the urge to throw your alarm clock out the window … whether it’s Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. While it sounds contradictory, it is furthermore a good idea to set your alarm a half hour earlier on Monday. If you leave time to do something for yourself, such as having a relaxing breakfast, browsing through the newspaper or getting some fresh air, you will feel less like a robot caught in the pattern of work - eat - sleep. Also pay attention to your sleeping pattern during the weekend. It is pleasant to sleep in late on Saturday or Sunday, but it might result in you feeling lethargic on Monday. It is therefore a good idea not to get up too late at the weekend. This way, your sleeping pattern remains in balance and you will feel fit(ter) the whole week through!
Source: Robert Half & Tempo Team
