Why is Monday the worst day of the week?
Why is this stupid train crawling?
What's wrong with the person behind me?
Why is he yelling on the cell phone?
Why is the conductor castigating me? I just showed him my monthly pass.
Why is it so cold today?
Is Monday doomsday? Does your 7 o'clock start hit you like a falling meteor? Or does the morning just pass in a stomach-churning blur? After a weekend spent drinking yourself into oblivion, shopping till you drop or partying all night long, the prospect of going into work on a Monday morning can make you feel rather ill.
There's actually a scientific explanation behind those dreaded Monday morning blues. Our internal clocks naturally operate on a day that is longer than 24 hours. By the time Monday rolls around each week, we've built up a sleep deficit of at least an hour. Of course, the weekend revelries and facing another work week don't help matters.
Here are some tips to make Monday mornings a little easier:
It's not only a hectic weekend that can turn Monday mornings into a day you hate, but a lack of organization. Have an early night on a Sunday. A late night and early morning start will sap your energy for a whole week never mind a day. And before you go to bed iron your clothes and pack your bag or brief case with whatever you will need for work. Then come Monday morning you will be ready for action.
If you can, sleep in an extra hour on Monday mornings. Going to bed early on Sunday night doesn't always help because most people will remain awake until their usual bedtime.
If you can't sleep in by a full hour (and most of us can't), take action Sunday night to shorten your morning preparation time so that you can set the alarm for 15 minutes later than usual. Wash your hair, pack lunches, lay out your outfit or pack your briefcase on Sunday night.
Hop out of bed the moment you wake up on Monday morning. Lingering in that downy comforter will only draw out the agony.
End your shower with a jolt of cold water to tear yourself out of your grogginess. Or exercise in the morning to get your blood pumping and to release those feel-good endorphins.
Get out in the sunlight. Bright light tells your body that it is indeed the morning and helps reset your internal clock.
Drink coffee or another caffeine beverage. Although it's not healthy to drink caffeine to the point of addiction, caffeine, when used in moderation, can give your Monday mornings that much-needed oomph and alertness.
For an even better Monday, start getting organized on Friday. Anticipate your Monday morning on Friday afternoon. Fight the temptation to race away from a messy desk. Clean up your desk and leave yourself a to-do list to make Monday morning a little more tolerable. If you commute into work, why not make the most of this time by listening to some inspiring music. It certainly beats burying your head in a newspaper littered with bad news or staring at grey and moody passengers.
Psychologists say that, the impact of Monday morning blues can be devastating. More people have heart attacks on a Monday morning than any other day of the week according to medical research. So figure out what will help you beat the blues and stick to it. Best is to think positive, and be positive.
Take comfort in knowing that you are not alone in feeling miserable on Monday morning. There are millions of folks out there feeling the same way.
If you are constantly feeling blue or depressed, seek psychiatric help. Ask your family doctor or a close friend to recommend a psychiatrist who is experienced in handling depression. Some universities offer psychiatric services at a reduced cost as a way to train psychiatric students and interns.
Tips to avoid Monday altogether:
1: Ask your boss if you can do a 4-day week, starting on Tuesday!
2: Set up your own business, and start your official duvet day.
3: Claim that since Thursday is the new Saturday, and Sunday, the new Tuesday, Monday can be bypassed altogether!