The Monday Blues is something everyone has encountered at some point. Even if you like your job, you may still feel that drop in your stomach as Sunday draws to a close. The anxiety you feel is not unique, and there are many reasons why the thought of going to work fills you with dread. But, succumbing to this dread can impact your performance and mental well-being. So, how can you overcome Monday Morning Dread? Here are five ideas to consider.
Most anxiety comes from the uncertainty of the week. Even if you have been in the same role for a long time, there’s always the worry that something unexpected could happen, and you are unprepared to handle it. Although you can’t predict the future, you can still set everything up for things you can control, including meeting and presentation notes or vital tasks to help keep your department or the whole company running.
Similarly, getting everything you need tomorrow ready the night before can save you from rushing around or forgetting anything in the morning. If you have a meeting, collect all the materials you need. If you eat at the office, make your lunch and put it in the refrigerator. Those who go to the gym in the evening should also grab their gym back full of everything they need so they don’t have to run back home after work.
The best way to overcome stress and anxiety before Monday is to make Sunday a day to pamper yourself. Self-care Sundays will relax you and ensure you get in the right mind frame for the working week. You can take a long soak in the bubble bath or use CBD oil to calm your nerves. Whatever your definition of self-care, make it a regular thing you look forward to every week.
Many managers and clients think it’s acceptable to contact you outside of hours and this can be even worse at the weekend. If you switch your phone off over the weekend, you don’t need to worry about anything to do with your job until you wake up on Monday. You might panic that you’ll miss something initially, but a healthy work-life balance is all about setting boundaries, and you need to make these boundaries clear.
Fretting over Monday morning internally is not good for your mental health, so you can try writing about your worries instead. The physical act of writing can help you work through issues more easily than thoughts swimming frantically in your head, and you may find that you can overcome problems or reach solutions more effectively. With this, you’ll feel much more prepared for Monday and the rest of the week.
You may never fully escape the dread of going to work on Monday but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to reduce the dread. These tips are a fantastic way for managers, professionals, and even those new to full-time work to feel a little more positive about their job and hopefully hit the ground running at the start of each week.
