Let’s face it, almost nobody looks forward to Mondays. Coming off a fun and relaxing weekend and looking towards the work week, we all can get a case of the Monday blues. But there are some things that you can do to help you push through that grumpy Monday mood
1. Make sure you get enough sleep Sunday night or catch up Monday night by turning in early. I am so guilty of not practicing what I preach here. The kids are in bed, leaving me with time to relax and to get ready for the week ahead. However research shows a mind body connection in which not getting enough sleep will lead to irritability and a down mood as well as a resulting decreased focus and productivity. That’s not a great start to a Monday!
2. Stay well hydrated throughout the day. Often when we don’t drink enough water, our body feels tired and begins to crave high calorie, sugary foods that will just result in a quick boost in energy and then a crash. Though that turtle brownie sounds yummy around 2pm, resist the urge!
3. Get out and take a walk. Try to squeeze one in even on your lunch break and come back feeling refreshed and more focused to tackle the rest of your day. Both the sunshine and exercise will do you good! Exercise releases those ‘feel good” chemicals in your brain called endorphins. And, we need a minimum of 20 minutes of sunshine a day to maintain a healthy Vitamin D level in our bodies. As we approach the winter months, some people experience seasonal affective disorder (or SAD), and need sunlight and increased Vitamin D to improve their mood. Then there are those of us who do believe that snow is indeed a four letter word!
4. Find some quiet moments in your day to calm and relax your mind whether it is through mindfulness, yoga, meditation, praying or reading a devotional. Practice 10 minute mindfulness at your desk, clearing your mind of the day’s clutter and going to a place in your mind that is relaxing or makes you happy and peaceful (it can be real or imagined). Or just spend a few minutes taking slow deep breaths and letting them out slowly and deliberately.
5. Find something to be grateful for every day. Or focus on something happy or positive. After all, you can’t have a positive and a negative thought at the same time so let the positive win out. And the law of attraction says that positive thoughts generate positive energy in return.
If all else fails, keep the coffee coming and avoid everyone until you’ve at least downed your first cup! Toss in a little chocolate (all things in moderation) and Monday is looking better already.
1. Make sure you get enough sleep Sunday night or catch up Monday night by turning in early. I am so guilty of not practicing what I preach here. The kids are in bed, leaving me with time to relax and to get ready for the week ahead. However research shows a mind body connection in which not getting enough sleep will lead to irritability and a down mood as well as a resulting decreased focus and productivity. That’s not a great start to a Monday!
2. Stay well hydrated throughout the day. Often when we don’t drink enough water, our body feels tired and begins to crave high calorie, sugary foods that will just result in a quick boost in energy and then a crash. Though that turtle brownie sounds yummy around 2pm, resist the urge!
3. Get out and take a walk. Try to squeeze one in even on your lunch break and come back feeling refreshed and more focused to tackle the rest of your day. Both the sunshine and exercise will do you good! Exercise releases those ‘feel good” chemicals in your brain called endorphins. And, we need a minimum of 20 minutes of sunshine a day to maintain a healthy Vitamin D level in our bodies. As we approach the winter months, some people experience seasonal affective disorder (or SAD), and need sunlight and increased Vitamin D to improve their mood. Then there are those of us who do believe that snow is indeed a four letter word!
4. Find some quiet moments in your day to calm and relax your mind whether it is through mindfulness, yoga, meditation, praying or reading a devotional. Practice 10 minute mindfulness at your desk, clearing your mind of the day’s clutter and going to a place in your mind that is relaxing or makes you happy and peaceful (it can be real or imagined). Or just spend a few minutes taking slow deep breaths and letting them out slowly and deliberately.
5. Find something to be grateful for every day. Or focus on something happy or positive. After all, you can’t have a positive and a negative thought at the same time so let the positive win out. And the law of attraction says that positive thoughts generate positive energy in return.
If all else fails, keep the coffee coming and avoid everyone until you’ve at least downed your first cup! Toss in a little chocolate (all things in moderation) and Monday is looking better already.
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