Confronting Monday Blues at Work

Monday blues is common among employees regardless of their position. However, it doesn’t mean that it’s unbeatable. Here are some useful tips to overcome Monday blues.

After having two blissful days over the weekend, many employees feel anxious and less-energetic to get back to work on Monday. The dread and uneasy feelings when starting the workweek on Monday is called Monday blues. This phenomenon is very common among employees regardless of their position. 

Ooi Sze Jin, the founder and psychologist at A Kind Place, told CNA TODAY that people's minds require time to warm up. At the start of a new week, people need to rekindle their momentum and adapt to the demands ahead. This transition is often remarked with temporary mood dip, reduced productivity, or a sense of reluctance when facing the work week, Ooi continued.

Generally, Monday blues only last for a while before an employee regains their energy back. However, facing Monday blues with positivity is essential for maintaining work effectiveness. Here are some useful tips to recover your motivation on Monday.

Adjust Your Mindset

Stop saying that you hate Monday—the sentence brings negativity and influences your perspective. Instead, try to think of Monday as the point of reset. A new week means new opportunities and new chances to achieve your goals. Associating Monday with a special Monday routine can also help in shifting your mindset.

Create a Special Monday Routine

Creating a routine that you can look forward to on Monday can improve your mood, CNA TODAY suggested. It doesn’t have to be extravagant, it can be as simple as having your favorite meal as breakfast, doing light exercise before work, or listening to your favorite bands during your commute. Don’t burden yourself with a packed to-do list for the week—instead, start your Monday slow and easy.

Prepare for Monday on Friday

An effective way to be happy on the start of weekdays is by alleviating your Monday burden on Friday. Make sure you finish your responsibilities for the week, so you won’t bring over unnecessary workload next week. If you can, take it a step further by breaking down your tasks for the upcoming week and try to accomplish some of them on Friday. This will make your Monday less hectic.

Take a Rest on Sunday

Some of you might be too enthusiastic about the weekend that both days are filled with activities. However, stuffing your weekends will make your Monday feeling tired. It’s advisable to balance your activities during the weekend. Give your Sunday a ‘cool-down’ time. For instance, sleeping early on Sunday night can help you feel more refreshed on the morning after.

Do Small Talk with Colleagues

Instead of focusing on your tasks directly, start your Monday with light conversation with your colleagues. Ask them to share what they did on their weekend. Casual chatting will bring positive energy and lift your mood up.

While Monday blues is a common experience for office workers, it doesn’t mean that you mustn’t confront it. Essentially, the best method to tackle Monday blues away is by keeping your Monday routine less-burdened and happy. By doing this, you will begin your weekdays with motivation, improving your productivity at work.

Next read: How to Break Free from Feeling Stuck at Work