Mondayitis. The Monday Blues. Manic Monday.
Call it what you like, but that feeling of weariness, apathy, sadness, and general distress that sets in on a Sunday night is not a figment of your imagination. Mondayitis is very real, and while a mild case can result in a struggle to get out of bed or out the door on time, extreme cases can result in not being able to get out of bed at all.
If Mondayitis hits you on a regular basis, or on other days of the week as well, it can have a significant impact on your state of mind, as well as your productivity. So, what can be done to treat Mondayitis and, ultimately, prevent it? It turns out there is quite a lot you can do.
Start preparing for Monday on Friday
Before you leave the office on Friday, take the time to tidy your desk. Plan for Monday, and the rest of the week as much as you can. Making a ‘to do’ list, or organising your Monday appointments on a Friday will mean that you start the week with a plan in place, reducing that disorganised, manic Monday morning feeling. Perhaps even have your Monday morning tasks set out on your desk, so as soon as you arrive, you know what needs to be done first.
Saturday
If you can, do things like shopping and cleaning on a Saturday, so that you can dedicate Sunday to looking after yourself. If you are going to have a big night out, Saturday night is the night to do it.
Sunday
This is the day to pamper yourself, but not the day to sleep in. If you are going to sleep in, don’t stay in bed for too long. It is thought that maintaining regular sleep patterns over the weekend can go a long way to combating the effects of Mondayitis.
Avoid doing your housework on a Sunday, and also avoid overindulging in food or alcohol. If you’ve done the shopping on Saturday, perhaps try cooking and freezing batches of food for your weekday lunches. That’s one less thing to stress about on a Monday morning.
When that feeling of dread starts to creep in on a Sunday afternoon, take control by thinking about the great things you’ve done this weekend, and start planning your next weekend. While you’re in planning mode, organise a Monday lunch date with a friend, or a fun after work activity for Monday evening.
Monday
Music is a great motivator. Find a song that energises you – one that is so catchy, you just can’t help but start to dance. Play it the moment you open your eyes, and there’s a good chance you’ll be out of bed before you know it. A Monday playlist will also help keep you motivated and energised throughout the day.
If you can, avoid the stress of peak hour traffic by leaving for work earlier or later than usual. If you still find yourself stuck in traffic, listen to that playlist to help stay positive.
Mondayitis is fairly normal, but life is too short to live every day like it’s a Monday! If your Mondayitis begins to increases in intensity, or becomes Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or even Fridayitis, ask yourself, “Am I unhappy in my job? Is it time to look for a new job?” If the answer is yes, it might be time to begin investigating your next professional challenge. You may find that even just thinking about, and planning new job opportunities can help improve your state of mind.
“For me, Monday represents a fresh start to the week. It is the day where the slate from the previous week is wiped clean. It is a day of new beginnings.” – Author Unknown
