The Monday blues is that feeling of dread to go to work and start the workweek. You and your co-workers may experience the Monday morning blues because you don’t want the weekend to end, don’t feel excited about the work or feel overwhelmed by workplace responsibilities. It is important to beat the Monday blues so the office can continue to operate with positivity.
Although the lack of desire and little sadness that often accompany the first Monday following a long weekend is the most accepted definition of the term “Monday blues,” its earliest records are from the late 1700s. After overindulgent weekends, when workers decide to take the day off, the term “Blue Monday” first appeared to represent the Monday blues. “Blue” was taken into consideration.
Tips for avoiding the Monday blues
Unfortunately, the Monday blues can affect the entire work week and how you and your co-workers feel about your jobs as a whole.
Consider these tips to help you avoid and beat the Monday blues:
Finish your Monday morning tasks on Friday
Think about what you can finish up on Friday before leaving the office that will reduce the number of things you have to do on Monday. This will help you ease back into work after the weekend. Encourage your team to do the same so they don’t have to worry over the weekend about everything they have to tackle on Monday.
Encourage a work/life balance
Employees want to be able to separate work from their personal lives, and you should encourage that and allow yourself to do the same. Employees benefit from unplugging on their days off, and if you do it too, then they can follow your lead. Everyone should come back to work after the weekend feeling refreshed and ready to conquer the week.
Do what makes you happy
It is important to spend the weekend doing something that makes you happy. This can include hiking, reading a book, having a movie marathon, cooking for your family or any number of activities.
Get enough sleep
A good night’s sleep is powerful because it can set the tone for the rest of the week. Get a solid night’s sleep, especially on Sunday evening, so you don’t start your workweek exhausted and unfocused. During the weekend, try to go to bed and wake up at the same times you normally do during the week so you are not disrupting your internal clock and making it even harder to reset on Mondays.
Though Monday blues are not harmful, they can negatively affect work life. So, beat your Monday blues.
