How to manage the Monday blues

Do you love or loathe the start of the new working week?

Holidays, breaks and time off all have one thing in common: the routine changes from our usual working day. We may have a lie-in, socialise differently and have more time on our hands for ourselves and our families.

Weekends signal downtime, and I think it’s possible to make the transition back into work a little easier.

So, if you work for a big corporation and the first day back to work feels tough, believe me, you are not alone. Many people have a firm belief that they have no control over their surroundings or how they work. In my experience, this belief is not always a fact, but a deeply held belief that has become ingrained.

Now, I will add here that if you really don’t like your job, you dread going and wish you could live your big dream, I’d suggest you accept that and think about getting help to achieve those dreams from a coach.

If, however, you just feel sluggish and blue and Mondays feel like a mighty effort to get back on the treadmill, this article might be just for you.

Here are some thoughts.

• Monday blues are quite natural, so accept them and talk about them. 
• Positive thinking and self-talk are great, but success also requires you to take some action and responsibility.
• If you arrange motivational meetings to gee up your team, how about choosing any day other than Monday? Energy may be low and the focus may still be on the weekend’s activities. Wednesday may be a good day, or even Friday.
• Compare workday routines and weekend routines. What can you do to minimise the difference? Think about it.
• Look at your commute. Leaving in the dark and returning in the dark? Make time for some daylight and time outside.
• Look at how you work and where you work. Notice your surroundings and the technology you use. Is anyone considering these factors and how they impact you?
• If you are using meeting rooms, are these inspiring places? Are you taking into account colour, lighting and natural daylight? So many factors can affect mood, motivation, creativity and productivity.
• Remember that transition can make things easier. Imagine going from hot water to cold; the shock. Bear this in mind when you go from weekends to work. Get creative and invite your colleagues to share ideas.
• How about working from home? Is this possible?
• Do you have good working practices in place? Do you have boundaries for checking emails, phone messages and managing your time?

So, take a little time to think about how you feel about Mondays and how you’d like your first working weekday to change.