How to Fight the Monday Blues and Enjoy Work
5 Important OD Resources
- The Art of Looking Busy – Improving Corporate Culture and Performance
- How to Deal with Employment Setbacks
- Corporate Culture and the Prima Donna Employees - Dealing With Difficult People
- Employee Health Research Shows Regular Exercise Prevents Mental Deterioration
- How to Avoid Gossips in the Workplace: A Corporate Culture Necessity
We've all been there
Angela wakes up in the morning and decides she’ll call in sick for the day. Albert drags his feet just to hop into the shower to get ready for work. Energy is low, enthusiasm is equally dismal. It probably is a Monday. Has this happened to you?
Monday work blues brings anxiety and a dark air into the workplace. It’s neither enticing nor invigorating to start a day with such trepidation hanging in the air. It’s time to perk up your Monday mornings and greet the new workweek with zeal.
1. Complete work on Fridays
Many are anxious to go to work on Monday because of the tremendous amount of work waiting for them. A good way to stay enthusiastic about Mondays is to finish as much work as possible on Friday. Yes, your Monday blues can be remedied by what you do on the last day of workweek. The more items you scrap from your to-do list, the easier it is for you to get up in the morning and go to work.
2. Get enough rest over the weekend
Everyone wants to squeeze as much bed time as they can. This becomes even more pronounced on the first day of work after having a break. To ensure you have enough energy and zeal for the coming workweek, it is imperative that you get enough rest over the weekend especially the night before.
3. Don’t stay up too late on Sunday
As a corollary of the previous tip, turning in early on Sundays can work wonders. Getting enough sleep prevents one from being moody and cranky. Starting the day in a good mood ensures that you are ready to tackle the day’s work - and the week's challenges. If sleeping earlier on Sundays does not work for you, use your time to prepare your things for Monday. This way, even if you press the snooze button the 4th time, you have less preparations to do on Monday mornings.
4. Surround yourself with happy
To feel happy and enthusiastic you need to surround yourself with a positive and happy environment. Attracting positive energy from your family, from the radio, TV, and even your pets can spruce up your morning. I know one employee who starts his day with affirming statements written all around his house. He’s got post-it all over his house with positive and encouraging statements. There are maxims, quotations or just happy photos all over the house. This way, anywhere he goes, there is something positive to look at. Another employee I know turned her house into a photo album. Everywhere she goes, there is a picture of her family, children, pets, friends. She surrounds herself with happy memories.
5. Listen to upbeat songs – you can dance to it if you want
I grew up listening to the Beatles. From the time I wake up, until my dad drops us off at school, the FAB 4 played upbeat tunes. On some special days, my dad turns to Elvis Presley for some morning inspiration. Of course they may not be your cup of tea, but the idea is the same. Turn up the volume of your favorite dance songs and if you’re up to it, dance along while preparing to go to work. Just make sure you don't bothr other people inside or outside your home. YOU can turn on the radio or play your favorite CD on your drive to work. You can even listen to your favorite songs using portable devices like ipods, mp3 players or even your phone.
6. Have a healthy breakfast
Treat yourself to a hearty breakfast and you’ll surely have the energy for the whole day. Skipping meals, especially this one can pull down your performance and energy level. So take your time and eat. Have a pleasant breakfast with your family. It's nice bonding time as well.
7. Exercise
Another way to boost your energy and pump does endorphins is to exercise. Start the day with a few minutes of physical activities – fixing your bed does not count. Even a 20-minute workout can do wonders on how you will feel for the day. Apart from the physical benefits, you can also get positive vibes after your morning workout.
Do you experience Monday Blues from time to time?
8. Wear something special
Dressing well can make you feel better. Better yet, wear something special on Mondays. If you’re used to going to work in jeans, t-shirt and rubber shoes, try putting on slacks, a long-sleeves shirt and leather shoes. If you’re up to it, wear your hair differently this day. Accessorize to your heart’s content – as long as it’s still permitted in the work place. Whether it’s a piece of jewelry, a new hairstyle, or a set of wardrobe, wearing something special can erase your Monday work blues.
9. Focus on the target and achievements
Planning the work day or workweek can be irritating at times. Nothing can ruin your day like writing tasks after tasks. The truth is you can’t escape from doing them. Sooner or later, you have to get your whole body to work. Instead of focusing on the tasks, it is important to focus on the accomplishments that you can hachieve. Putting your sights on the prize can keep your spirits high in spite of the tumultuous road getting there.
10. Choose to be happy
When you wake up every day, you are automatically presented with options. Whether you want to go to work or not, is a choice. Whether you want to start the day gloomy or full of life is a choice. Beating the Monday work blues is a matter of choice. Choose to be happy on Mondays and every day of the week.
Don’t start the week with negative vibes. Instead, bring to work an infectious enthusiasm and productivity.
