Beating The Monday Morning Blues : How To Stop Treating Monday Like It Personally Offended You

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After a good long weekend of sleep, partying, and self-love, there goes your alarm, early Monday morning. It's time to wake up to another busy week. Back to the office, back to school, back to college! You moan, you groan, you hit snooze on the alarm next to you - wishing you could time-travel back to Saturday, or at least last Friday evening, when your work/school week ended. Because all you want to do right now is pull the covers back over your head. But face it, it's Monday. Off you go, all ready to sit at your table to work, at your desks to study. And you roll your eyeballs up and say, "I just hate Mondays."

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You're tempted to make an excuse, take a day off, or call in sick just to extend the weekend and avoid going to work, school or college. Don't worry you are not alone, almost everyone feels the same. The question is why so? Let's dig a little deeper into the aversion towards this poor day of the week that seems to bear all the grudges from your side. What's the psychology behind it and how can we overcome it?

So Why Are 'Blues' Linked To Monday?

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It is said by the 14th century, the colour blue had become associated with longing, loss, and sorrow mainly due to colour psychology and the emergence of the blues music. And that's how the phrase "feeling blue" came into being. And accept it, most of us do use this word when we don't feel so good on certain days and the best part is sometimes we don't even know what the reason is.

What Are Monday Morning Blues?

First and foremost, Monday morning blues is not an illness - it's just a feeling that people go through. A feeling of dread and unhappiness. That feeling drains your energy and leaves you with a lack of enthusiasm to do anything. You're just not up for the tasks and responsibilities in front of you.

"Oh no! I have to go to the office today..." "If only school was closed this Monday as well"- that sigh comes from a place of pure disappointment. There's an inbuilt fear, too: How will the week start off? Will it be a good day or a bad one?

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You might find yourself snapping at anyone who talks to you as you get ready for work. That's because your mood's already taken a hit - thanks to Monday morning blues. You are irritated at everything and everyone now. No wonder productivity dips in offices on Mondays.

According to Medical News Today and PsychCentral, here are some of the symptoms:

• tense muscles
• headaches
• trouble breathing
• fast heartbeat
• increased blood pressure
• sadness
• lethargy or fatigue
• feeling agitated
• persistent worrying about the week to come
• an overall sense of dread or uneasiness
• changes in appetite
• trouble sleeping

But What Causes Monday morning Blues?

Why do they even happen? It could be because:

• You are dissatisfied with your job / You're not keen on going to school or college
• You're facing job burnout / You're under pressure with studies
• Cognitive distortion - a typical harmful thought pattern that affects your worldview

Disruptive weekend habits that throw off your body's internal rhythms - like sleeping at odd hours or drinking alcohol, leading to a Monday hangover

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Okay, so now that you know what Monday morning blues are, their causes and symptoms - let's talk about how to beat them (Yes, that extra cup of coffee is not the only solution).

How do you wake up smiling, stay positive, and get all up and going for Monday?

Diksha Wadhwa, counselling psychologist, EFT Trainer, Emotional Wellbeing Coach and Therapist, shares some tips along with a funny reel on Instagram:

What You Can Do To Ease Into The Week

Plan Something You Enjoy on a Monday Morning

Change your mood by adding something you actually look forward to. It could be your favourite breakfast or a coffee break with your favourite colleague.

Divide And Rule

Break your tasks into smaller, manageable chunks to reduce the pressure. This helps you feel a sense of accomplishment as you go.

Self-Care Comes First

Take time for yourself with self-care activities throughout the week - go to the spa, get a new hairdo, spend time with loved ones, or read that favourite book of yours. These little joys can give a real boost to your mood and energy levels.

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Mindfulness Is Key

Stay in the present. Don't overthink the rest of the week. Focus on what's in front of you. Mindfulness techniques like meditation or deep breathing can reduce stress and anxiety.

Fine-Tune Your Mindset

Think positively. Reframe your thoughts about Mondays by focusing on the opportunities the week brings, instead of mourning the weekend that's gone.

Don't Shy Away From Support

Reach out to friends, family members, or colleagues and share how you feel. It can really help. Sometimes, just expressing your emotions lifts a big weight. And if you find yourself stuck in a cycle of procrastination and guilt, therapy can help too.

What do you think of these strategies? Try them out and see what works best for you when it comes to beating the Monday morning blues. Be productive, stay positive, and bring a splash of colour and joy to your day!