Do you find yourself dragging into work after the weekend experiencing the Monday morning blues? If so, you may be one of 63 million Tweaters a PLOS One study found leaving comments at the beginning of the week showing they are feeling down. Psychotherapist Chantal Gagnon, PhD contributes this to the stress many associate with the return to work on Mondays and research at the University of College London has found that just thinking about returning to work can increase cortisol and adrenaline levels which can lead to fatigue, anxiety, and even damage to the heart. The good news is that there are simple ways to help you battle the Monday morning blues.
Get a Chlorophyll Fix – Psychotherapist and editor of Live Happy, Stacy Kaiser, recommends having a plant on your work desk for a mood lift. This is backed up by research from Washington State University reporting that people doing computer work feel less stress and have lower blood pressure when they work near plants. You can also get a boost in energy by eating chlorophyll, which is the pigment that gives plants their green color. AFA bluegreen algae is the food with the highest concentration of chlorophyll and this algae and ubiquinol supplement provides an extra energy ingredient with the bioavailable form of Coenzyme Q10, ubiquinol. Or this algae supplement designed for those with active lifestyles that gives you wheatgrass juice, cordyceps mushrooms, bee pollen, turmeric, noni, and green tea along with your AFA.
Prepare for Monday – A little planning ahead for Monday morning can help get your week off to a less stressful beginning. Take care of everything on Friday that you can so that you start off Monday with a clean desk. If you do have anything leftover or something you particularly dislike doing, getting it done early in the day, according to career coach Rita Friedman, will help you avoid the dread and help you feel better. Also make sure you get a good night’s sleep Sunday night and get to bed early, then get up a little earlier on Monday so that you aren’t rushed and have time to eat a healthy breakfast, have a little “me” time, and maybe even get some meditation in to reduce stress before leaving the house. Ryan Kahn, The Hired Group founder, also advises taking that time to concentrate on what you enjoy about your work and have gratitude for in your job. On the way to work start your day off on an upswing by having some uplifting music to listen to.
Brighten Your Mood – Studies such as one found in Psychological Science report that smiling boosts the mood and helps the body recover from stress faster. A British study in 2011 reported that most workers don’t smile until 11:16 am. Be aware of this and find something to smile about on the way to work and when you get there. Even if you have to fake it! You can also boost mood with probiotic supplements according to a study in Brain, Behavior, and Immunity in 2015. This is due to the friendly bacteria reducing inflammation and increasing serotonin, the feel good hormone. You can also get your probiotics, enzymes and the great nutrition of AFA bluegreen algae with these easy to carry anywhere packets. Another way to boost your mood is to look for ways to brighten someone else’s day. This not only makes you feel good, but can give you something to look forward to at work and create a positive atmosphere at work which could be contagious and brighten the whole workplace. You don’t have to go overboard; even something simple like complimenting a colleague, opening a door or holding the elevator for someone will do.
Give Yourself A Break – Take the weekend to really rest up, enjoy your time away from work and rejuvenate. Also take breaks during the day to reduce stress and re-fuel. If you can take five minutes for meditation, you can really refresh yourself in mind and body. Physical movement or exercise triggers the release of endorphins for a mood boost, so taking a little time to go for a walk or do some jumping jacks is a good way to take a break. Walking away from your desk at lunchtime is another good break time. Even if you just go to the breakroom or outside to sit on a bench to eat, take a little time away from your desk.
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Sources:
http://dailyburn.com/life/lifestyle/beat-monday-blues-tips/
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/efkk45efmdi/11-ways-to-beat-the-monday-blues-2/
http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/smart-living/16-ways-to-beat-the-monday-blues/ss-AAdsO8b#image=1
