It is a universal phenomenon to experience “Monday Blues,” but they don't have to be your reality. “Bon Lundi” is not just a French greeting; it's a mindset shift that views the start of the week as a fresh opportunity rather than viewing it as a hurdle. Below are the 5 effective strategies to make you embrace the coming week in a positive tone:
1. Mastering The “Sunday Reset”
Instead of letting Sunday scare you, you scare it! Especially during the evening hours, you can use that time to organize your physical and mental space. This can include anything from wearing a new outfit you always wanted to, preparing a healthy breakfast for the next day to simply tidying up your workspace. When you eliminate the early morning stressors the evening or the night before, you make a way for a calm and an intentional start to happen.
2. Don't Delay To Load Your Joy
Most people save their favourite activities for a typical weekend, as a result, instead of feeling the freshness in a Monday morning, you start to feel exhausted without even starting the day. So, to counter this, you can schedule something you genuinely look forward to on a Monday morning or lunch. This could be anything from visiting a specific coffee shop of your choice, listening to a favourite podcast during the time you commute, or planning a quick walk with an old friend of yours. Doing this will make you feel fresh and happy, thus enhancing your overall performance of the day.
3. Start With “Small Wins”
One of the biggest contributors to Monday stress is an overwhelming to-do list. Instead of immediate engagement to the most complex project at 9:00 AM, you can start with three “quick wins” tasks that takes less than ten minutes to complete. This way, it will give you enough motivation to handle the complex project and reduce the feeling of being stuck.
4. Build A Positive Morning Environment
To cultivate a “Bon Lundi” atmosphere around you, focus on light and sound. As soon as you wake up, open the curtains to let the natural light enter inside your room. This way, it will help your body’s circadian rhythm to regulate and boost the serotonin levels. If you are music lover, you can curate a “Monday Motivation” playlist, featuring tracks that energize you without causing overstimulation.
5. Don't Speak Negative About “Mondays”
It is common among people to spend their Sunday night in telling negative about the coming week. This way, you are encouraging your brain to already perceive the coming week as a “negative one” without even experiencing it fully. To overcome this, apply the Bon Lundi’s philosophy of focusing on one specific thing you want to achieve or experience during the week. Reframing the way you think about the coming week will help you to stay calm throughout the week and you can even see the improvement in your life through this extraordinary philosophy.
