Let's knock Monday out!
It's Monday…and if you're reading this, you might be feeling a little blue about it? I say this confidently because researchers have consistently found that Monday's are the most stressful days of the year (with the 3rd Monday of January the most stressful day of the whole year). But whether it’s January, March or a Sizzling summer Monday in July, the start of the workweek can bring on a serious case of… Whomp, Whomp, Whomp!!! Sometimes even looking forward to a new episode of The Bachelor isn't enough to battle Monday-morning gloom.
Based on a study of Twitter messages, researchers think people are most likely to feel feel the blues on Monday and Tuesday. Other researchers say most workers don’t smile until about 11:16 am on Mondays? Crazy… how the name of a day can change our outlook for several hours. But it can go way beyond hating the alarm clock or ranting at that damn long line at Starbucks! A study in Japan found suicide rates were highest on Mondays. And in some people, Monday-morning depression triggers cardiovascular problems making Monday the highest risk for having a heart attack or stroke. But Monday’s don’t have to bring us down in the dumps.
1. Don’t live for the weekends. Studies show people who are stressed at work tend to be much happier on the weekend. There are 7 days in a week and it's pretty sad if you are wasting 5 days waiting for the other 2? So don’t only look forward to Saturday and Sunday; try to spread out the joy and plan something fun during the week, like a movie night or evening of music at one of Austin's awesome outdoor patios :).
2. Don’t sleep in. Who can resist sleeping till noon? But instead of waking up just in time for brunch, try sticking to the same sleep schedule all week to feel rested and energized all week long. Our body works on repetition and consistency. This includes our sleep wake cycles. Getting in sync with your body’s natural sleep–wake cycle—your circadian rhythm—is one of the most important strategies for achieving good sleep. If you keep a regular sleep schedule, going to bed and getting up at the same time each day, you will feel much more refreshed and energized than if you sleep the same number of hours at different times. This holds true even if you alter your sleep schedule by only an hour or two. Here's a really cool monitor FitBit One Wireless Activity and Sleep Tracker – Black.
3. Get pumped with some tunes. While getting ready for work, turn up the stereo (or Pandora). Listening to music can boost mood and get us pumped for work. Try downloading some of the songs from my previous post on workout music.
4. Hit the (early-bird) gym. It’s no secret that exercise amps up endorphin levels, so try getting in early morning exercise to start the day off right . If you're feeling crunched for time, then do this 7 minute workout.
5. Figure out why Monday’s are blue. If you dread Mondays no matter what, then it may be time to switch careers, uncover what is truly causing you grief or do some serious soul searching on what/why you're not happy.
Let's knock Monday out!
