06/03/2013
Well, my dear massage friends, the weekend is coming to a close, and that means one thing: the dreaded arrival of Monday! *Cue dramatic music* Our relationship with the poor, misunderstood first day off the work week doesn't have to be so contentious, however. With the right attitude and a little triple-P (Proper Prior Planning), we can learn to actually look forward to Monday... or at least not dread it so much!
How to make Monday suck less:
1. Make sure to do SOMETHING enjoyable during the weekend. That way, when Monday rolls around and you have actual obligations that keep you from having care-free fun, you won't feel like all you ever do is work! Read a book, or a chapter, take a hike, go clothes-trying-on in a store you could never afford to actually buy anything in, ANYTHING that you actually enjoy. Don't allow your Weekend to be nothing more than a series of chores and errands you don't have time to do during the work week!
2. Keep yourself organized. Keep the personal items that you'll need during the week by your side so you do not lose them. This way, on Monday morning, you're not searching frantically for your lost phone, wallet, or school/work ID. Keep your backpack for school or purse/computer bag for work ready, keeping all necessary items in it except for those things you'll need over the weekend. Get clothes and items ready the night before. Set up the coffee maker to brew on a schedule, or at least at the touch of a button. Prepare as much of the lunches for children and yourself as possible and set everything on the counter, ready to go. Do the same for breakfast, to: get the cereal bowls, cereal, spoons, juice glasses, etc. out and on the table, ready to use. That way, you cut down on the steps needed to get everyone ready and out the door in the morning!
3. Go to bed early. While experts agree that waking up and falling asleep at the same time regardless of day, let's face it: there is far to much to keep us awake late on the weekends, and sleeping in feels SO decadent, who can resist it? So to make sure you don't wake up like a zombie on Monday morning, get in bed and wind down earlier than normal on Sunday night. Read a book, listen to shooting music, write in a journal (or write down all the things you need to do that week so they don't keep you up at night), anything but watching tv or surfing the web (light from electronics interferes with the brain's shut down processes for sleep). Even getting an additional half hour of sleep can help make the Monday morning wake up easier.
Make a special Monday ritual or treat for yourself, something you only do on Monday. Grab a bagel for breakfast instead of having cereal, or arrange to meet a friend for coffee after work. Take a class or just go to a serene place and mediate. Deliberately create positive associations with Monday, and soon you will actually look forward to Monday! Hey, it may be the first day of the work week, but if you create reasons that it is special and enjoyable, you can avoid having "a case of the Mondays"!
