Is Monday the villain of your week? Here’s a really good reason to change your Monday mindset. Did you know…. that deadly heart attacks are more common on Mondays than any other day of the week? Some research presented at the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS) conference in Manchester stated that they’ve seen a 13% increase in serious heart attacks on Mondays. They call this phenomenon the “Blue Monday” effect but they aren’t really sure what’s causing it. In my personal opinion, I believe our state of mind on Monday mornings definitely effects our stress levels and our hormones and contribute to this. It couldn’t hurt to quit hating one seventh of your life just because it’s named Monday. Having to go back to work on a Monday just means that you’re lucky enough to have a job in this crazy economy. Mondays are what we make of them. Choose clarity and happiness today and watch how your whole week gets transformed. I took this shot a couple of years back on a New England fall pilgrimage.
Insert a fun activity into your Monday every week (maybe a hobby after work) so you look forward to the day vs. dreading it.
Make plans for lunch with a friend/colleague/business connection so you have something to look forward to!
Shannon K. Culpepper “There are two tests in life, more important than any other test. On Monday morning, when you wake up, do you feel in the pit of your stomach you can't wait to go to work? And when you're ready to go home Friday afternoon, do you say, 'I can't wait to go home?'” —Chuck Schumer U.S. Senator from NY
9-5 I’m the Director of Marketing at Southwest Antennas. 5-9 I’m taking pictures and inspiring people to focus themselves through photography. @shannonkculpepper
3moStart changing your outlook by making new Monday rituals. Here are a couple of ideas. Instead of your usual, hot mess, Monday morning start, take Sunday night to lay out all your clothes, pack up your lunch and prepare your work items so you’re not scrambling to find it all in the morning. Start the day off by taking a few minutes to journal about what you want your week to look like. This helps you shape your upcoming week rather than just letting it happen to you. Make Mondays a day of connection and set up meeting with friends for lunch or meeting up to do something fun after work. Laughter and joy make such a difference. If you have kids and they’re also dreading going back to school and adding to the collective Monday moodiness, make Mondays nature days after school and go exploring with them at favorite nature haunts. Also a great time to bring a camera along. If you try not to buy coffee or tea out, think about making Monday the day you get to indulge and grab a cup. Lastly and this is one of my favorites. Create a playlist of all your favorite happy songs and play them loud on the way to work. Music has a way of transforming our moods no matter how miserable we might be.