Handling Monday morning feelings & putting things off

• Common causes

• Ways to help

Most people have experience of “Monday Morning” feelings, either occasionally or on a fairly frequent basis. The feelings normally begin upon waking, when the sufferer begins to feel unable to tackle the day’s work ahead. Although this feeling is commonly experienced on a Monday, many people suffer from it on other days of the working week too. These people tend to be overworked and lack enthusiasm for their job. They also find it hard to face up to problems at work, regularly put things off and procrastinate about taking action.

Common causes

Monday Morning blues

• Our internal body clocks naturally operate on a day that is longer than 24 hours. By the end of the week, we build up a sleep deficit that causes us problems on the beginning of the following week – which of course, is Monday morning.

• Over indulgence and changing your sleeping pattern at the weekend can also be a factor.

Generally putting things off

• Putting things off could signify that you are unhappy or overworked in your job or studies.

• Putting things off may be a sign of a lack of direction or indecisiveness.

Ways to help

• Bach Flower Remedy Hornbeam can promote a lively mind, vitality and a certainty of one’s strength and ability to face the day. If work stresses and worries become too much during the day, Rescue Remedy – a unique combination of five Bach flower essences that work to alleviate the emotional imbalances associated with daily stressful situations. (Always read the label.)

• Get a Life Coach. If you regularly put off your work or studies and experience the “Monday Morning” feelings, you should talk to a life coach to identify new ways to refresh your enthusiasm for your career.

• Prepare for your Monday morning on Friday afternoon. Do things like sorting out paperwork, answering e-mails, clearing your desk and doing all the niggly administrative tasks that take up so much time on Friday afternoon rather than leaving them until Monday morning. It is also a good idea to leave yourself a to-do list for Monday morning whilst the previous working week is still fresh in your memory.

• Get a good night’s sleep. This is especially important on Sunday night so that you awake refreshed on Monday morning. So that this is possible, don’t sleep in too late on Sunday morning. Also, try to shorten the time you take to get ready on Monday morning by getting things ready the night before (ironing work clothes, packing lunch etc).

• Don’t hit the snooze button. Get up straight away and get in the shower – lingering in bed dreading the day will only make you moody and late for work.

• Try exercising in the morning. If you exercise in the morning, you’ll get a rush of endorphins that will make you feel awake, alive and full of energy with which to start the working day.

• Walk to work if you can. Not only will the exercise help you wake up, but so will the sunlight as it helps reset your internal clock. If you can’t walk all the way, try walking part of the way or if that’s impossible, take a walk at lunch time to refresh you.