How To Beat The Monday Blues

How to Beat the Monday Blues

Does Monday seem to come around too quick? Do the Monday Blues start on Sunday evening? Do you dread the slump of Monday after the euphoria of Friday?

The Monday Blues can hit anyone at any stage in their career. It can be a short-term slump, fuelled by factors that are quickly and easily rectified or it can be symptomatic of a much bigger problem.

So, which is it? Short-term why-can’t-the-weekend-be-longer or deep-seated, pit-of-your-stomach-dread?

Post-Weekend Come Down

The blues or feeling low results from many things but, say researchers, if you continually over-indulge at weekends, Monday will always feel blue.

Over-eating, over-indulging, over-drinking etc. all culminate in an artificial high that leads to the routine of work (and Monday) bringing your down to earth with a bump.

The solutions…?

• Have a more measured approach to your weekend – include plenty of time for socialising, but also schedule time for rest and relaxation.
• Watch your diet – three healthy meals a day are better than a greasy breakfast and take out for tea.
• Have an achievable weekend list – a source of the Monday Blues is the feeling of not having enough time to do the things that you want to do. Create a list of thing you want to get done when you leave work on Friday, but keep the list achievable. The feeling of guilt and low mood can come from not accomplishing everything you set out to do.
  

Ramp Up Your Workspace

Sitting in the same position, staring at the same screen, the same corner of the room and the same view gets monotonous. There is little, if any, spark of interest or motivation.

The time has come to have a move round with your desk, the objects on it, the view you look at and so on.

Clearly, you may be restricted by work boundaries, rules and regulations, which, if you are, you will need to seek permission to make changes. In most cases, this will be forthcoming so go ahead, make some changes.

Some tips…

• Add greenery – there is research that suggests adding a plant to your desk will give you an instant lift. Plants in the workplace are known to reduce stress and provide an uplift to your mood. And less stress and tension means more productivity – and that means your working day flies by.
• Move desks/offices/locations – if you can, make a move.

Smile More

Might sound frivolous but smiling more uplifts your own mood. You may not feel like it, hunched behind your desk, grumpy that the weekend has gone so quick and it is another full 37 working hours before you can clock off from work until the next party weekend but, smiling more will make a difference.

There is research to suggest, although how scientific this survey was remains to be seen, that people did not smile until 11.18am on a Monday morning when at work.

Take Time Off

When the Monday Blues strike, it can be indicative of something bigger. However, for some people it is a short-term problem that is easily resolved by taking time off.

When we work for long stretches at a time without a break longer than a weekend, it can feel like we are on a treadmill. Although we enjoy the familiarity of routine, it can become monotonous.

And if you find yourself sat at your desk or work station thinking “back again!” and being less than your happy smiling self, then the time has come to book some time off.

From a long weekend to a full-on fortnight break, a change of scenery from your workplace can be exactly what you need.

Make a Permanent Change

A short-term break may be the solution. Or it may not.

The solution may be something far bigger and far more exciting – a complete change of job or career. It might fill you with dread the thought of applying for a new job, the interview process and the uncertainty of starting a new job in a new place.

But is that a worse feeling than the Monday Blues?

Deciding on a new career may mean upskilling your qualifications so that you have a fantastic looking CV. Home learning is a great solution.

You get to study great courses like mental health courses or how to be a teaching assistant to special needs children and more – from the comfort of your own home. With flexible payment options and great support, you could leave the Monday Blues behind and welcome a new career.

Why not try it?