7 Ways to Beat the ‘Monday Blues’

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Mondays – often described as the worst day of the week.

Not only are you battling through post-weekend blues, there’s also a two-day lag of unread emails in your inbox, not to mention planning the week ahead for yourself and your team.

Yet in January, for some people it can seem to take a slightly worse turn as ‘Blue Monday’ comes around on the third Monday of the month. Described as a once-a-year phenomenon, Blue Monday is often depicted as the most depressing day of the year, due to the weather and the delay until next pay day, leading to feelings of negativity and an impact on work productivity.

‘’The reality is, there’s no such thing as the most depressing day of the year and it trivialises serious mental health issues,’’ says Dr. Mark Winwood, Director of Psychological Services, AXA PPP healthcare. ‘’Mental health and mental illness is an ongoing matter and achieving a good work-life balance is important to being a healthier you.’

“When you’re mentally well, you’re better at making the most of life and work. That doesn’t mean you’ll never experience any type of emotional problem, but it can mean that you’re able to deal with difficult or stressful situations more easily. Research also shows that positive people tend to live healthier lifestyles.

“If you think you or your workforce are lacking ‘Monday’ motivation, identifying the reasons behind the low morale is key. For example, improving the working environment is just one step to changing this. Some minor improvements, such as better lighting, more comfortable chairs, or a supply of hot drinks, water and caffeine-free alternatives, may improve things for everyone and thus alter the mood.”

In these handy tips, the small business experts at AXA PPP healthcare give their advice on how to power through, stay positive and beat those ‘Monday blue’ feelings whenever they hit.

Tip 1: Set goals – Trying to attain something new will increase the fulfilment you get from your job and therefore better your attitude in everyday life, so think about your goals and ambitions.

Tip 2: Take a look around – Is there anything you could change to make your working environment better? Better lighting, more comfortable chairs, or a supply of tea and coffee can all improve things and alter the mood.

Tip 3: Identify the real problem – If you’re thinking of phoning in sick on Sunday night, it’s important to think about the real reason behind this – what is the real reason behind your lack of motivation?

Tip 4: Make lists and plan workloads – Preparing your to-do list on the Friday afternoon will help you feel more in control come Monday and ready to start the week.

Tip 5: Say no – Don’t be afraid to say no to taking on more work if you don’t think you’ll achieve it. If something’s a must, chat to your manager about delaying something else.

Tip 6: Sleep – Being sleep deprived is one of the most common causes of a bad mood, so make sure to get an early night on Sunday. If you’re having regular sleep problems, make some changes and seek advice.

Tip 7: Stay active – Exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet will help you reduce stress and stay positive. Try booking in fitness classes on Sundays or Mondays to help.

For advice on how to create a better work–life balance for yourself or your employees, visit AXA PPP’s work life balance

Author: Rachael Trickey

Published On: 16th Jan 2017 - Last modified: 18th Jan 2017
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