Heading back to work after a relaxing weekend can have you feeling the “Monday blues.”
Not to be confused with anxiety or depression, the Monday blues means that on Mondays you often feel sluggish or unable to take on larger tasks, says Rosemary Smyth, founder of Rosemary Smyth and Associates in Victoria.
Here are some steps you can take to reduce stress and still improve productivity on the first day of the week:
1. Prepare for Monday in advance
Start readying yourself for Monday on the Friday before, Smyth says. This step might be as simple as clearing your desk on Friday so you’re not confronted with a mess when you come in on Monday.
Monday mornings can be a scramble at home if you’re making breakfast and lunch at the last minute. Use your Sunday to prepare for the following morning, Smyth says, so you won’t need to wake up as early or be as busy come Monday morning.
2. Improve on Monday meetings
Monday morning meetings don’t need to be a drag. Start meetings on a positive note by having team members share their highlights of the weekend, Smyth says.
Monday meetings are an opportunity to set priorities for the week ahead. If you review everyone’s responsibilities and deadlines for the week, Smyth says, there’s likely to be much less stress around the office.
3. Don’t rush your day
Avoid pushing too many large tasks onto your Monday schedule, Smyth says. If you’re unable to finish an activity on Friday, plan to complete the task on Tuesday or Wednesday. Those days are typically more productive.
“A lot of people have control over their calendars,” Smyth says. “There are ways to change them around.”
Try to make your Monday evening relaxing as well. Instead of completing chores around the house, Smyth say, use that time to unwind so you can ease into the week ahead.
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