There are a lot of “morning people” in the world … but Monday morning people?! Okay, there are probably some. And if you’re one of them, good for you – and you can stop reading right here.
Studies have shown, though, that a significant majority of employees who start their work week on Mondays rank it as the most dreaded day of their week. For many, those feelings even start on Sunday. Weekends can be packed with fun, leisure, and spending time with our favorite people. It’s important and enjoyable, but it can lead to emotional over-arousal, which is fundamentally stressful.
The reason Mondays can be tough is that you haven’t taken the time to ready yourself for the week ahead or to rest, refresh and reset.
Your last task on Friday should be to prepare for the following week.
It’s tempting to want to shut off your computer and end your work week ASAP on Friday afternoon. Leave time for one more thing: creating your to-do list for Monday. Actually, like most best practices for reducing stress and enhancing productivity, you should do this every day.
- Don’t use weekend time for this purpose. Keep that time for yourself. If you take just a few minutes to prep on Friday, you’ll be better prepared to hit the ground running on Monday morning.
Take breaks on Mondays – and every day.
Take regular breaks during the workday to get up from your desk, relieve your eyes from looking at a screen or other close work, stretch, and get your blood flowing.
- Your breaktime activities should help to calm your brain. Spend some time outdoors, read, listen to music, meditate, take a power nap or do a crossword puzzle. Or, talk to someone – but not about work!
Have some fun on Mondays, too.
The two words are not mutually exclusive.
- Put something on your Monday calendar that’s purely for your own enjoyment. Schedule dinner with a friend or a bike ride, leisurely walk or movie. And no matter how harried your day gets, remember: it won’t last forever. It’s easier to keep it in perspective if you have that after-work activity to look forward to.
Is it burnout?
Burnout is different from Monday-itis. Signs you may be burned out include often bringing negative feelings about work home with you, realizing your job-related cynicism is affecting your interactions with family or friends, or consistently feeling blah, bleak, or disconnected from your normal routine.
- If feelings of burnout persist, it may be time to seek professional advice or look for a different job. Burnout is not a one-day experience; it’s a persistent condition that lasts weeks or even months. And it can really hurt your mental health and well-being.