Kiran Athar
It’s Sunday night, and the blues are kicking in. Where did the weekend go? Why has the week come around so fast? And why does it weigh so heavily on your chest and mind?
If this is you, I feel you. I too used to dread Mondays, and I’d spend the better part of Sundays fretting over it.
Until I started meeting people who didn’t share my same dread and anxiety…some of them, believe it or not, even looked forward to starting the week.
I was intrigued, so I learned their ways, and I’ll be honest, it’s a game changer.
Here are 9 things that people who don’t dread Mondays always do over the weekend:
1) Unplug and rest
I know this is easier said than done, but it’s so worth getting into the habit of resting and switching off from technology over the weekend (Netflix and Prime excluded, of course).
I used to make the mistake of leaving my errands and other miscellaneous bits and bobs until the weekend, but then the inevitable would happen:
I’d spend the entire two days running around, and I’d be just as tired on Sunday night as I was on Friday night.
So I learned how to intentionally disconnect.
And this wasn’t just about sleeping in till midday, but making sure I scheduled time to just relax on my comfy chair on the porch and read a book, or take a long hot soak in the bath with calming music in the background.
By the end of the weekend, I knew I had “rested” and allowed my body some much-needed recovery time from the week before.
2) Pursue a hobby
Another important thing that people who don’t dread Mondays always do on the weekend is something fun. In other words, their favorite hobby.
Whether that’s going on a long hike, painting, or playing tennis with friends, they always find time for it.
Why?
Well, practicing a hobby you enjoy isn’t just about having fun – you’re also doing something that fulfills you.
By the time Monday rolls around, you don’t feel like you’ve wasted your two days off because you’ve done an activity that allowed your mind and body to switch off and get into a state of flow (which studies show is very rewarding).
3) Exercise
Now, this is one thing I struggled with. I’m not big on exercising during the week, let alone on the weekend!
But I knew it was an important habit to incorporate into my routine.
You see, exercise is excellent for boosting your mood and energy levels.
I also see it as a great way to “sweat off” the stress of the previous week, and refresh your mind for the week that’s coming.
But I get it – you might not want to spend your weekends at the gym and that’s fine.
Instead, try to fit in a brisk walk so you receive the benefits of fresh air and nature, too.
Or if you want to stay home, whack on your favorite tunes and dance for 20 minutes around your living room – that’ll get your blood pumping!
4) Plan for the week ahead
Want to know the best way to avoid those dreaded Sunday blues?
Be prepared.
On Friday night (if you can muster the energy) or Saturday morning, plan out your upcoming week.
Prioritize the most important things you need to do at work and home for the start of the week, and lighter tasks towards the end of the week when you have less energy.
The truth is, just having this simple plan will make you feel more in control and prepared – this way you don’t need to spend all weekend fretting over what you have to get done during the week.
5) Spend quality time with loved ones
Another thing people who don’t dread Mondays always do over the weekend is prioritize seeing family and friends.
This can be incredibly restorative; getting together for good food, a lot of laughs, and fun company is the perfect way to unwind.
And if you pick the right people, you’ll feel more energized after hanging out with them.
But one thing I would advise avoiding is overpacking your weekend with social activities. I made this mistake and spent the entire month of December feeling knackered.
Instead, plan your social events accordingly and spread them across each weekend so you get a good balance between socializing and decompressing alone.
And don’t forget – it’s okay to say “no” to plans if you crave some alone time.
6) Engage in self-care
Following on from the previous point, when decompressing alone, you can finally focus on having some important “me-time”.
That’s when you get to do things just for yourself, drowning out the noise of the world and focussing on your needs.
For me, that looks like cooking my favorite meal (pasta, of course), watching a feel-good film, taking a long shower (hair and face masks included), and cuddling up in bed with the cats and a good book.
For others, that could be going on a long walk, listening to music, meditating, getting a massage, or calling up an old friend for a much-needed catch-up.
The point is, you’ve got to do something that makes you feel relaxed.
That way, when Sunday evening rolls around, you won’t be stressed out or tired. You’ll feel refreshed and ready to tackle the new week.
7) Get enough sleep
I’ve mentioned resting and unplugging from technology, but let’s get one thing clear:
You need to sleep well on the weekend.
I know, I know. You go to bed early and wake up early during the week, so it’s only natural to want to stay up late on the weekends.
And that’s fine, but don’t overdo it.
Going to bed at 3 am will only make you more tired throughout the weekend, and waking up late cuts into the time you could spend doing all the points I’ve mentioned above.
In fact, the best way to achieve a healthy sleep routine is to keep it as consistent as possible (during the week and weekends).
I, for example, have stopped sleeping till midday, and instead, aim to wake up by 10 am at the latest (so I still get a lie in but avoid wasting the day).
Ultimately, this is something you can’t skip if you want to feel fresh for Monday.
8) Reflect and practice gratitude
Have you ever tried reflecting on all the things you should be grateful for?
If not, I suggest starting now.
I noticed a big shift in my mindset since forming this habit, and the good news is, it only takes a few minutes to do.
Rather than grumble and groan about every bad thing that happened between Mon-Fri, I spend a few minutes on Saturday morning reflecting on all the good things.
Even if they’re small – like the moody barrister who finally cracked a smile and wished me good morning. Or the fact that I managed to meet all my deadlines, even if it was slightly stressful.
Here’s the thing:
When you focus on the positive, you relax. You feel positive about life.
You realize that there are small wins to be had every day, and the week coming will be filled with more of them to look forward to.
9) Prepare for Monday morning
And finally, prepare, prepare, prepare!
I’ve already spoken about this on a bigger scale (planning for the week ahead) but let’s zoom in and scale it down.
People who don’t dread Monday prepare for Monday.
Read that again.
They know that if they have everything prepared, let’s say, by Sunday morning, they’ve got the rest of the day to do whatever they want without having to think of Monday again.
So if you can, prepare your lunch beforehand. Pick out your clothes and pack your back.
Make sure your car’s fueled up.
Do whatever you can so that on Sunday night and Monday morning, you’re not rushing around like a headless chicken.
Trust me on this one.
I hope the tips above help you as much as they’ve helped me. Beating the Sunday blues is 100% worth it, especially if you want to get as much out of your weekend as you can!
