 
For most people, beginning the week means fighting the feelings of anxiety otherwise called, ” Monday anxiety, ” or something similar. When Sunday goes to an end, almost all of us feel surprised at how quickly our weekend of comfort, predictability, and fullness went by. Transitioning back into work/school, and responsibilities can be daunting. Just thinking about upcoming deadlines, or meetings, or simply that long Thursday commute can even spike stress levels before we get out of bed! So, if you recognize how you feel on Monday mornings, rest assured that you’re not alone! The source of our major difficulty is often not simply workload, however – it is also making the transition from a non-structured, weekend mindset to a structured weekday mindset. Studies show that our mood is consistently lowest for the week on Mondays, which accounts for why so many of us dislike Mondays!
Signs and Causes of Monday Anxiety
There are many different versions of Monday-related anxiety including issues sleeping on Sunday night, trouble getting out of bed on Monday, irritability, or even psychosomatic symptoms like headaches or fatigue. These symptoms have varying motivations linked primarily to burnout, a work-life imbalance, or a lack of satisfaction with a daily routine. For students, they could also be associated with exam anxiety, or unfinished tasks; and for professionals, the feelings often arise from unrealistic deadlines, and workplace pressures. In addition, the world of social media often feeds into these feelings as people are comparing their beloved downtime to the work week and reacting to having to start again.
Coping Strategies for a Calm Start
You can alleviate Monday anxiety by making a few helpful changes. Preparing on Sunday evening (ie. planning outfits, meals, and even to-do lists) can help lower the chaos of your Monday morning. Keeping a consistent sleep schedule during the weekend can also help your body adjust when you wake up for the week. Having small habits like morning exercise, meditation, or listening to an inspiring podcast or playlist can help you start the day and week on the right foot. From a work perspective, perhaps instead of tackling your work in one giant burst, take it piece by piece and take smaller steps towards completion.
