Eight tips to start your Monday in a good mood

Are you also in a bad mood on Monday? With these tips, you’ll start your work week in a good mood.

1. ONLY START THE DAY ON MONDAY

Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, is already holding online meetings with his team on Sunday evenings to prepare for the week. Don’t be like Tim. The working week only starts on Monday, the weekend is for relaxing and recharging your batteries. So resist the temptation to already read your e-mails on Sunday evening or browse your agenda for the week. Unconsciously, you will stay busy and sleep less well . If you still like preparing for the week, do it on Friday afternoon.

2. BE ACTIVE ON SUNDAY

Do a physical activity that you enjoy every Sunday. Go for a walk, ride a bike, or get on a treadmill or exercise bike. A fitness tracker or pedometer can keep an eye on your activity level. Being active is good for your overall fitness, and you’ll fall asleep and sleep easier on Sundays. Don’t drink too much alcohol on Sunday night, or better yet: none at all. Instead, try herbal tea or hot chocolate.

3. EAT A HEALTHY BREAKFAST

Start the week off right with a good breakfast. This will best consist of whole-grain products such as breakfast cereals (sugar-free) or whole-grain bread – home-baked in a bread machine or not. Avoid sugar; this will give you a quick burst of energy, but the effect will wear off just as quickly. A fresh fruit is essential: a banana, a portion of berries or an apple.

4. MAKE TIME FOR YOUR COFFEE

Coffee appeared in Europe in the second half of the eighteenth century. During this same period, the Industrial Revolution was born, which made Europe a great economic power. Coincidence? Maybe, but a shot of caffeine helps many people start the week off right. With pods, capsules or an espresso machine that grinds the beans fresh, your favorite drink will be ready in no time.

5. SCHEDULE TIME TO PLAN

Make Monday the schedule for the rest of the week. Look at all the appointments and meetings you can’t escape, and sketch out what you want to achieve this week. If the number of tasks is manageable, a simple to-do will suffice. If you schedule many tasks, this to-do will quickly become confusing. So use a structured planning method like Getting Things Done . It works with smart apps that you can install on your smartphone.

6. CONSULT YOUR TEAM

Monday morning is the best time to talk to all the people you will be working with in the following days – colleagues or permanent clients. A brief meeting may be sufficient so that everyone knows what needs to happen. The most effective is to hold it in line. A smartphone, a computer with a good webcam and possibly a wireless headset is all you will need. If you’re dividing up tasks, make sure everyone gets a good overview by sending an email after the meeting.

7. TAKE BREAKS

The temptation is great on Monday to ‘let go’. But your body and your mind have to hold out for a whole week, so it’s better to dose your energy. We weren’t designed to sit still for hours on end, so if you do office work, get up regularly and walk for a few minutes. A smartwatch can remind you that it’s time to get moving.

8. GRUMBLING IS ALLOWED.

Bonus tip: It’s OK to grumble on Mondays. It’s normal for you not to be overflowing with enthusiasm every Monday morning. A sad, even grumpy Monday morning mood is sometimes inevitable. But don’t take it out on your co-workers or roommates, because they can’t help it. To change your mood, you can lighten up your mood with a touch of humor: listen to a funny podcast, search for a little comedy on YouTube, or watch jokes or memes on social media.