Monday mornings are always tough. You’re finally coming down from the weekend high and have to face the reality of another week.
Suddenly, the Monday blues hit and you have no choice but to “power through.” The cliche words, “you got this?” run through your mind as you force a smile and get ready for the day.
While there’s no magic pill to make the Monday blues disappear, there are ways to help yourself cope. Here are seven tips to give yourself an instant Monday mood boost.
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What Is The Meaning Of Blue Monday?
Blue Monday meaning is a term that was coined in the early 1990s to describe the third Monday of January. It’s said to be the most depressing day of the year, due to post-holiday blues, stress from returning to work or school, and financial concerns.
While there isn’t scientific evidence to support this claim, it’s still a day that many people find difficult. If you’re struggling with the blues on a Monday, try using one of the tips below to help yourself feel better.
How To Deal With Mondays: Monday Mood Booster Tips
1. Get Moving
A little bit of exercise can go a long way in boosting your mood. We’ve all heard this before but it helps so much when you think about it. Pair it with a morning music playlist and you are looking at one of the best coping mechanisms to use as a Monday mood booster.
This has already been covered in the physical self-care ideas post but I’ll reiterate it here. Committing to some form of movements like a 30-minute walk or a light jog is all you need to help to clear your head and make you feel more motivated.
2. Eat Breakfast
I’m not talking about just an ordinary breakfast but a breakfast that you can’t wait to eat. Something that will make you happy and give you the energy to start your day. This could be anything from a big bowl of oatmeal with berries to eggs and bacon.
As someone who naturally doesn’t crave breakfast food first thing and dreads Mondays in the morning, I’ve changed my perspective by incorporating foods that I can tolerate like a bowl of cereal or a waffle and one scrambled egg. Trust me, it will change your mood on Monday.
3. Read A Page Or Two From An Affirmation Book
I am actively working on this one when it comes to beating the blue but it’s a great way to start your day if you’re looking for some positivity. Affirmation books have helped shape my mindset because if we’re not careful, our minds will be in a negative space before we even get to the bathroom.
The affirmation book I recommend is the one I wrote. The title is called Sis, Be At Ease. It’s a book of quotes covering affirmations around ease, self-care, advocacy, self-discovery, and self-worth. It’s a win-win if you’re looking for a book to uplift your mood.
4. Form A Text Group With Your Friends
If you’re struggling with the Monday blues, one of the easiest things you can do is reach out to your friends. Send a text to your group of friends on Monday morning to check in with them.
One of my favorite things to do with my friends in a group chat is to send several funny videos or giphy’s just to make everyone laugh. Not only will it give everyone else in the group chat a good laugh but it also makes for a great mood-boosting gift to yourself.
5. Prepare For Monday On Friday Before Leaving Work
One of my not-so-favorite memories of working in Corporate America is feeling like I forgot to do something on Friday before heading into the weekend. I would spend my entire Saturday and Sunday stressed out about the email I didn’t send or the meeting I forgot to schedule with caregivers.
To avoid this feeling, I now try to do a little bit of prep work for the week on Friday. This could be anything from packing my lunch and snacks for the week, setting out my clothes for Monday, or making a list of things I need to get done.
By doing a little bit of prep on Friday, I’m not stressing about it on Sunday and I’m able to enjoy my weekend a little bit more.
6. Smile And Say Hello To People
What a great Monday tip, right? It’s not often we see this because most of us are into the hustle and bustle of our day. It’s so easy to flash a smile and say hello to someone you know or even don’t know. This can brighten up their day and it’ll make you feel better as well!
7. Take Some Time With Yourself
Start up early and practice this as a self-care Sunday ritual. This could be anything from reading your favorite book to taking a relaxing bath. Nurturing your Sundays will pour over into your Mondays.
One of the things I do on Mondays ends the day with a relaxing activity using one of the meditating items. I’ll usually light some scented candles, put on some soothing music, and run a bubble bath with some bath bombs purchased from Lush. This tip alone enhances my mental health and makes me feel good.
Club Blue Mondays, No Longer
These are just a few examples of things you can do to beat the Monday blues. Hopefully, at least one of these will resonate with you and help get your day started on the right foot.
Remember, it’s okay to take things slow on a Monday morning and not be productive right away. As long as you’re taking some time for yourself, you’re doing something right.
