How To Beat Monday Blues And Go To Work Excited

It is monday again. Let me guess: you didn't exactly get super thrilled about the start of a new week.

If your day started out something like this:

Source

this post is for you. I have compiled a list of things that help get me a little bit more excited on Monday mornings and which you might find helpful too, if you get a case of the "Monday blues".

- On your way to work, play your favorite song (the one you love singing along to!) at full volume.

- On the day before, arrange to have lunch with your partner, your mom, or a good friend.

- On Sunday night, plan a delicious breakfast for the morning. For me, it's Nutella on toast. I wake up really eager to eat it! Or have a super healthy breakfast and feel great for giving your body something good. But whatever you do, don't ever skip this meal!

- Buy pretty stationary and supplies for your desk (like this).

- On Sunday night, change your regular screensaver to one of your favorite pictures (your significant other, your pet, your child, your next holiday destination...) so it will lift your spirits when you turn on your laptop the next morning.

- Light a scented candle that you love while you are getting ready. (Learn to make one yourself here). Burning essential oils or even some incense works just as well!

- Studies show that warm colors like yellow, red and orange are energizers. So put on that gorgeous red lipstick for work and don't be afraid to wear that orange top!

- Grab all of your will power and get up 20 minutes early to go for a short run. It will give you a boost of energy and leave you feeling great for the day!

- When you are showering for work in the morning, sing your favorite song at the top of your lungs. Weird? oh, so very much! Worth it? totally!

- Leave a cute (or sexy!) note inside your partner's wallet for him to find during the day (or even his favorite snack!).

- Pack a chocolate for a mid-afternoon snack. Chocolate encourages the production of serotonin in the brain, which is known as the "happiness hormone". Milk is another serotonin booster. Don't overdo it, though, or you'll have a sugar crash and end up feeling worse!

- On your break, head over to a comedy webpage (like this one) or watch a funny video on Youtube (like these, for example, which are all short). A good laugh will instantly lift your spirits.

- When your mind starts to wonder, think of a few things that you are grateful for right now instead.

- At midday, make a list (or a mental note) of the things you managed to accomplish in the morning. This will make you feel more productive.

- If you can, buy a nice flower or two for your office space.

- On the night before write an inspirational or uplifting quote on your mirror. That way you'll read it the next day when you are getting ready. Personal favorite of mine: "The decisions you make today determine the story your life will tell tomorrow". This motivates me to do my very best that day!

- Compliment a coworker. (But make it genuine!). Something as simple as "Lovely blouse, Sarah" or "What a great idea, Matt!" can go a long way.

- Stretch out your neck. Studies show that this very simple exercise helps you instantly relax.

- For some people, it helps to think of some way of rewarding themselves when the day is over, like a relaxing bath or a nice big latte, so they have something to look forward to. If that's you, by all means do it! For me, it just makes the day go slower as I can't wait to get home and get my "reward", so I prefer to focus on the moment instead. Whatever works for you!

- Finally, be mindful of the present. As much as you'd love to be somewhere else, find the good things about today, so you don't get lost in the past or the future (memo to self!). One of my favorite beauty bloggers always says: "There is something good in every day". I say "Don't miss the ups in your life by wallowing in the downs". What this means is that if you are always wishing for something different, or bigger, or better, you will never be truly satisfied. And before you know it, the Monday blues become Always blues, and that's definitely not something we want.

I hope these little tips make a big difference in how we tackle the situations that we aren't necessarily super thrilled about it. It's all about the attitude, the lens through which we choose to see the world.
I'm going to give you a little homework: today, every time that you start feeling negative about something, get rid of that feeling by finding the positives. I'm sure you can, it's only a matter of thinking about it. Slowly, you will train your brain to change its whole outlook on not only Mondays but life in general. Have a happy week!