Friday rolls around and you’re the happiest person on the planet. Monday follows suit and you couldn’t be sadder. Sound familiar?
According to the Wiktionary, Mondayitis is:
“the tired and apathetic feeling experienced by persons returning to work on a Monday after the weekend”
Sounds about right, doesn’t it? It’s totally normal to dread returning to work after a couple of days off, and to have this apprehension manifest in symptoms of sickness. It doesn’t necessarily mean you hate your job, it might just mean you prefer waking up at 10am to a cooked breakfast and hour-long cuddles with your dog, which is fairly understandable.
I've got a huge case of Mondayitis today… just not getting into the day…
— Kaye Bishop (@Kayezee71) November 7, 2016
If you suffer from mild Mondayitis, the best thing to do is prevent making it worse by following the below steps) and refusing to let it get the better of you. Hopefully by lunchtime the feelings will have passed, allowing you to become pumped up for the week ahead! Let’s go!
Your Mondayitis should only alarm you when it carries right on through Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, only subsiding when you hit Friday. In this case, diagnosis? Chronic Mondayitis, probably covering up bigger problems (do you even like your job?). The best thing to do is try to stop Mondayitis in its tracks, before it becomes chronic. This process actually starts on Sunday. Here are the causes to watch out for:
Failure to actually relax on your weekend
Weekends are meant for fun, but you’ve got to give yourself time to rejuvenate if you want to get the most out of your week!
https://twitter.com/incog_guy/status/787853200212635648?lang=en-gb
Lack of a relaxing Sunday night
Early onset Mondayitis on a Sunday is dangerous, dangerous stuff. The longer Mondayitis is focussed on, the worse it gets. Being super productive and relaxed on your Sunday (e.g. meal prep / exercise / reading etc) and refusing to wallow in the sorrow of Monday looming is the best way to keep the creeping feelings at bay. You’ll also be in a way better headspace Monday morning if you say ‘no’ to boozy Sunday night antics.
I have Mondayitis and its only Sunday.
— Kathy-lee (: (@Klee_Nz) October 9, 2016
Terrible alarm clock
Alarm clocks are relentless deliverers of bad news. Having a robot beeping and screaming in your ear is the worst way to wake up. Choosing a song you like and setting that as your alarm clock is a great option. Warning – you will defintiely learn to despise that song after a while, so choose wisely.
Poor choice of breakfast
Sugary, sat-fatty breakfasts are bad news, we know that. Opting for a really healthy breakfast on a Monday will set you up with the strength you need to fight off Mondayitis.
For some awesome tips on what food to have and avoid, check out this article here by dietitian Laura Clark: https://theundercoverrecruiter.com/eating-workplace-working/
Nothing like starting the week with some bacon, on bacon with bacon. #bacon #mondayitis
— WhiskyDad (@WhiskyDadBlog) November 6, 2016
Travel troubles
Getting caught in traffic or missing your train is bound to increase symptoms of Mondayitis. It might hurt for a brief moment, but leaving earlier in the morning will keep you relaxed and level-headed: Mondayitis’ Kryptonite.
Weather is crazy. Traffic is insane. #MondayItIs
— Anja (@An1aaa9) November 7, 2016
Burnt coffee
On Mondays, you need to invest in a great coffee, and a lot of it. A bad one is bound to ruin your day and make your symptoms increase at a dramatic rate.
https://twitter.com/stephs_07/status/544251338138218496?lang=en-gb
Busy mornings
Don’t overload yourself with meetings and deadlines on a Monday morning if you ca handle it. Ease yourself back into work slowly and don’t let Mondayitis have a chance at feeding on your stress.
Forgetting important items
Double and triple-check you have your phone, wallet, keys, laptop and lunch before you leave the house. Nothing eggs Mondayitis on more than leaving important things at home and making your own life harder.
The awkward moment when you leave your work bag at home. No swipe card. No phone. #Mondayitis
— Boris. (@gligzilla) August 12, 2012
Now you know how to best keep Mondayitis in check! If eliminating all of these things from occurring, your symptoms shouldn’t last long at all. If they don’t seem to go away, you might be suffering Chronic Mondayitis, in which case we suggest you reflect on your career and try to spot the real cause. After all, it might be time for a change and Mondayitis is your body’s way of telling you to get a move on.
Happy Monday!
