5 Ways to Punch Monday in the Face by Actually Being Happy

The Monday blues are SO real. If you clicked this post because you 100% agree with the above picture, you're not alone. In one study, scientists found people show biological signs of stress when they start anticipating the workday, so you can expect some rants under 140 characters when the weekend’s over (Damn you long line at Starbucks!).

Another study I found said that most workers don’t smile until about 11:16 am on Mondays (to the minute, damn). But it can go beyond hating the alarm clock. A study in Japan found suicide rates were highest on Mondays. As depressing as those last few lines are, I’m not going to turn around and throw some inspirational bullshit at you like “juts think happy thoughts” because your brain is a midfield of happy and sad thoughts scattered all over. You can start with a happy thought, and then bam, seven totally un-related sad thoughts just exploded.

So, instead, here are some REAL things that can get you through your dreaded Monday so that you can enjoy the rest of your week.

Treat Yourself

On Mondays, we could all use a little something extra to brighten our day. Whether you treat yourself to your favourite latte or buy a lunch instead of bringing it, doing something that makes you happy will put some more pep in your step on what’s often the hardest day of the week.

Make Sunday Night Special

We often spend Sunday night already in Monday mode, thinking about the week ahead (guilty as charged). Instead, do something fun on Sunday night to make the weekend feel longer and draw it to a special close. It could be a comforting meal or a funny movie (as long as you don’t get to bed too late, which will negatively affect your Monday). Whatever you choose, a fun-filled Sunday night will make for a more satisfying memory of the weekend come Monday. That annoying thought of "I hate Mondays, and I totally wasted my weekend too" won't be a reason to bring you down anymore.

Make Evening Plans

Give yourself something to look forward to on Mondays by making evening plans you’re excited about. It doesn’t have to be something over-the-top if you’re not up for it. Keep it low-key and watch TV with a friend, plan a coffee date or hit the gym with someone who always puts a smile on your face

Happy Prep

Rushing is always stressful. Avoid frantic Monday mornings by doing as much prep in advance as possible. Complete all of your housework/chores over the weekend so that you can start your week with fresh clothes (a small but helpful win) and prepare your outfit the night before (this may also include washing your hair the night before so that you’re not rushing to dry and style it as you’re heading out the door).

Start slow

Don’t fire up that joy-sapping Excel spreadsheet the minute you hit your desk. Research from Singapore found that taking 20 minutes to browse the internet upped productivity by as much as 36% compared to those who stayed glued to their to-do list. Couple it with a watercooler chat with your brightest colleagues. A study published in the journal Social Psychology and Personality Science found it boosts your decision-making prowess. Chatting about last night’s Grey’s Anatomy episode is probably a lot more fun than crunching numbers.