A lot of us talk about the ‘Sunday scaries’ and the ‘Monday blues’. The thought of going back to work after the weekend and getting back into our normal routine is rarely appealing.

You may not ever be jumping out of bed at the sound of your alarm clock on a Monday morning, but you can definitely improve your mood and feel better about the week ahead. You may think this has little to do with money. But, mindset is so important when it comes to your personal finances. Improve your outlook and your finances will follow.

Here are 5 ways to beat the Monday blues.

Disclaimer: This post is designed to help those who struggle on Mondays, but are overall in good spirits. If you find your feelings are more persistent or resemble anxiety or depression please seek medical support.

1. Get outside
2. Focus on self care
3. Switch off
4. Practice gratitude
5. Make a plan

1.     Get outside

My favourite way to beat the Monday blues is to get out and take my dog for a walk in the countryside.

I am lucky to live in this part of the world. Taking a moment to appreciate this each day also helps improve my mood.

You don’t have to go for a walk, run or cycle to reap the benefits. Not everyone can manage this, and you might not feel up to it if the Monday Blues have got you down. Just breathing in some fresh air can help clear your mind and calm you down.

Even sitting in the garden – if you have one – or sitting on a bench in a local park for 10 minutes can make a difference.

The weather might not be the most appealing – we are in the UK after all – but wrap up warm and try it. A blast of cold air can see off the Monday Blues nicely.

2.     Focus on self care

On Mondays it can be easy to rush around from the moment you get out of bed. In the midst of all of this, you may well forget to look after yourself.

For some, self care is a bubble bath and a facemask. Others prefer to do some exercise or mindful movement to practice self care.

For me, self care is all about routines. I know I feel best when I am organised and taking time to work through my to-do list. So, I try and get up a few minutes earlier, so I have time to plan my day in advance. I work out what I have to get done and schedule in exercise, tidying and downtime.

This way, rather than starting the day overwhelmed and filled with dread, I start it with a plan that I know is manageable. Providing I manage to stick to it and complete the list, I also get a strong sense of satisfaction at the end of the day.

Whatever it is that makes you feel good, make sure you allocate some time for it. You shouldn’t have nothing to look forward to in a day, just because it’s a working day.  

Practising self care will help you live better and be more content with your life.

3.     Switch off

The news is pretty bleak. Scrolling through social media for too long may well leave you despairing. You don’t have to put yourself through this. It’s ok to switch off and break the cycle. You don’t have to keep watching the news and seeing all the negative things going on.

As a minimum, it is a good idea to switch off 30 minutes or so before you go to bed. This way you won’t end your day doom scrolling.

You can also block certain words and phrases on Twitter and other social networks. If you can’t face anymore Covid-related news, try blocking ‘Covid’ on Twitter. You won’t see any Tweets that mention Covid. Scrolling might not make you feel as bad as before after you block your ‘triggers’.

4.     Practice gratitude

When we feel down, it’s very easy to focus on the negatives and ignore all the positives in our lives. Changing this habit is key to improving your mindset.

Start actively looking for good things in your life, however big or small. It could be a beautiful sunset, some positive feedback at work, seeing a friend, or even a cup of tea. Whatever it is, take a moment to appreciate and enjoy it fully.

To complete your practice, write down three things you’re grateful for at the end of each day. This will end your day on a positive note – hopefully helping you’re sleep too! You also then have a list of positive affirmations to look back on whenever you need.  

5.     Make a plan

If you really dread Monday mornings, think about what it is you really dislike about them. Is it your job? Or perhaps the time you have to wake up? Maybe it’s even the chores you do on a Monday. If you can isolate the key culprits, then you can make a plan to change them.

For example, if the thought of cleaning your whole house and working all day is getting you down, could you like to move your cleaning day to later in the week when you’re more settled in your routine?

You may realise you simply don’t enjoy your job. If this is the case, could you start applying for new roles that excite you? Or you consider taking a course or getting a qualification that will allow you to move sectors.

Whatever it is that’s getting you down, making a plan to change it, may well make you feel better very quickly.

Don’t forget to follow me on social media @Katie20Percent to keep up to date with all my latest posts.

If you enjoyed this post about beating the Monday blues, please share it on social media or with your friends. Do you like Mondays or do you dread them? What are your top tips for curing the Monday blues? Comment them below!