Help Your Mondays Suck a Whole Lot Less By Listening to This Episode

Why do Mondays get such a bad rap, and how can we turn them into the best day of the week?

In this episode, we explore the roots of the "Monday blues" from psychological and cultural perspectives. We'll discuss how this mindset can affect our mental health and productivity, from the struggle of shifting from weekend mode to the workweek grind to societal norms that paint Mondays as dreadful.

But fear not! More importantly, we've got practical, actionable strategies to flip the script on your Mondays. By creating positive routines, planning, and adding some fun to your day, you can reduce stress and tackle the new week with excitement and optimism.

And hey, our journey goes beyond just transforming your Mondays. You'll also learn about the 2% Solution and the awesome power of community support in helping our podcast grow and spread positivity. Little actions – like sharing the podcast, leaving reviews, and subscribing – can make a huge difference in reaching more folks and making a positive impact.

We're committed to bringing you valuable episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to help you improve just 2% each day. Your engagement is key, and together, we can build a supportive community focused on making meaningful changes.

So, join us and be an essential part of this uplifting journey as we continue to grow together.

Transcript

Dai Manuel: 0:08

Hey there, wellness warriors, welcome back to another episode of the 2% Solution Podcast. I'm your host, diamond Well, and today we're diving into a topic that resonates with many of you. If you hate Mondays, this podcast is for you. We're going to explore why Mondays get such a bad rap, what that says about human nature, and how we can transform our perspective to make Mondays more enjoyable. Every time we have to deal with them Because you know what they come once a week, right. So that's like one-seventh of our lifetime is Mondays. I would hate to think that we hate one seventh of our life. So, trust me, by the end of this episode, you'll be looking forward to the start of the week. Mondays Just hearing the word can make some people cringe and groan. Now, to be honest, I've been there feeling the dread as the weekend winds down. But what if I told you that Mondays don't have to be so bad? What if we could turn them into something we look forward to? That's what today's episode is all about. So let's start by understanding why so many of us hate Mondays.

Dai Manuel: 1:21

The Monday blues are a real thing. Studies from the University of Vermont show that Monday is the week's least liked day. But why is that, psychologically, it's a combination of transitioning from the freedom of the weekend to the responsibilities of the work week. Our brains don't like change, and Monday represents a significant shift in our weekly routine. Cultural and social influences have also played into this sort of zeitgeist belief around Mondays. Thanks to societal norms and popular media, we've been conditioned to view Monday as a day of drudgery. It's almost become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Now the bad. This mindset can lead to increased stress and anxiety. Is there any good to having this belief? Well, awareness of the pattern is the first step to changing it. And the ugly? Well, if left unchecked, this Monday dread can affect our overall mental health and productivity. So what impact does hating Mondays have on our mental health? The anticipation of Monday can cause stress and anxiety, as I said, which can spill over into Sunday night. Because you know what happens Sunday night, we start thinking about Monday morning. This phenomenon is so common, it even has a name the Sunday scaries. I know right, oh, monday blues, sunday scaries. A Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine study found that workplace stress peaks on Monday and it affects productivity and performance throughout the week. Now, if we constantly dread the start of the week, it can affect our overall well-being. Gallup data shows that employee engagement and productivity are significantly lower on Mondays. Now it isn't just about feeling a little grumpy. It's about how the mindset affects our health and happiness.

Dai Manuel: 3:22

Now let's talk about how we can transform our Mondays. It starts with a mindset shift. Dr Carol Dweck's research on positive psychology and mindset shows that changing our perspective can have a huge impact. Instead of seeing Monday as a day of drudgery, view it as a fresh start, a new beginning, a new day to starting. Whatever that new project or new thing that you want to accomplish is, monday is a great day to begin.

Dai Manuel: 3:52

Preparation and planning can also make a big difference. Spend some time on Sunday evening planning your week. Set positive intentions for Monday. Knowing what to expect can reduce anxiety and make the transition smoother. Incorporate enjoyable activities into your Monday routine can also help. Now there were some studies that show that engaging in hobbies and leisure activities can reduce stress, so why not find something to look forward to, whether it's a morning workout, a coffee date with a friend? What about a little bit extra time with your favorite book? Don't worry about what it is, just do something. Do something that helps your perspective on your internal self improve, because when you start to look at things internally or start to manage things and experience life a little bit differently, your worldview will change instantly, and that's pretty cool.

Dai Manuel: 4:43

Now let's dive into some practical tips for making Monday a positive experience. Start with a solid morning routine. Harvard Business Review highlights that effective morning habits can set a positive tone for the day. Wake up a little earlier to give yourself some breathing room, practice gratitude, do some exercise, eat a healthy breakfast. It's not hard, but it's not necessarily easy either. But the process is simple. We got to commit to it and we got to keep committing to it and we got to keep doing it. And trust me, the more you do it, the easier it comes.

Dai Manuel: 5:21

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance throughout the week is also crucial. Research by the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health shows that a balanced approach to work and life can reduce stress and improve overall well-being. And don't underestimate the power of social connections. Studies from the Mayo Clinic emphasize that social support is vital to mental health. Reach out to friends or family members, even just for a quick chat. These connections can provide a sense of community and support that makes Mondays more manageable.

Dai Manuel: 5:55

All right, I'm going to wrap things up now, because this is it for today's episode. My wellness warriors Remember, mondays don't have to be a drag. By changing our mindset, planning and incorporating positive activities into our routine, we can transform Mondays into something we look forward to. Truthfully, doesn't that sound fun? Maybe not, maybe maybe it's not fun, but I believe we can fake it till we make it All right. It's all about those small, consistent changes, the 2% improvements those lead to massive transformations over time.

Dai Manuel: 6:30

I'm eager to hear your thoughts, your experiences, ideas about Mondays as we wrap up. Do you have any topics or guests you'd love us to feature? Your feedback will help shape the direction of this podcast. Connect with me on Instagram, facebook, the tickety-tockety and all the popular platforms to keep up to date and join our ongoing conversation. And if today's episodes resonated with you, you know, like if it really landed, and you're like, yeah, I'm going to start trying to look at Mondays a little bit differently.

Dai Manuel: 7:00

Well, you know, just to be straight up, I'd greatly appreciate it if you could share it with somebody. Or maybe just hit the like button, leave a review, subscribe for future episodes. Your support honestly means so much to me because when you do that, this little thing called the algorithm says oh hey, yo, people like this, actually like this thing, they like this show, they like this topic, and other people like us will start to see it pop up more organically for them. In essence, we're all making the world a bit better and we're helping do that together. I'm going to keep showing up, whether it be Monday, wednesdays or Fridays, because you know we drop a new episode three days a week. Thank you for being an integral part of this incredible journey. Here's to many more episodes to come, and remember to constantly push your boundaries, maintain a positive attitude and strive to better yourself by just 2% each day. I'm Dai Manuel. This has been again another episode of the 2% Solution. Let's keep excelling together and keep crushing those Mondays. See you next episode.