Posted July 14th, 2022
By Kris Powers
It’s been a nice, relaxing weekend, but Sunday is coming to a close and in the back of your mind you’re already dreading going back to work Monday. It seems like it’s the same old cycle – what seems like a never-ending workweek and then the all-to-quick weekend.
There are small steps you can take to combat those Monday blues. If you’re able to finish small tasks Friday, you won’t have to worry about those on Monday. Before you leave your desk on Friday, make note of the things you’d like to tackle come Monday morning. Straighten your work area so that you will walk into an organized office on Monday. Try not to schedule any meetings for Monday morning to allow yourself a smooth transition into the work week.
After leaving the office on Friday, try to clear your mind of work during the weekend. If possible, don’t logon to check work emails, or conduct any business for at least one full day (ideally two!). Setting boundaries and working toward a good work/personal life balance will steer you towards a fresh start to your work week.
As the weekend draws to a close, think about beginning your Monday positively. Set yourself up with:
- Pre-planning Monday’s dinner (one less stressor to deal with!)
- A full tank of gas (so you don’t have to stop)
- An outfit picked out for Monday (or even a full week’s worth of outfits!)
- A good night’s sleep
- A light breakfast
- A perfectly made cup of coffee
Listen to the music you love on your drive to work or if you can, at work. And sing along, LOUD!
Those Monday blues feelings are real - but setting the week up to start off right helps with productivity and happiness. And, if you come to work happy, it may even rub off on your co-workers and customers!
Fun Fact:
Where did the term “Monday blues” come from?
While the most common Monday blues meaning is a ‘basic lack of motivation and mild sadness when facing the Monday workday after a long weekend’, its origins actually date back to the late 1700s. The Monday blues were originally referred to as Blue Monday, when workers chose to take the day off due to heavily indulgent weekends. The word “blue” was considered dismal and draining, and its pairing with the word Monday created the term that’s commonly used today.
