It’s Monday morning and you have zero interest in getting out of bed to start your day. The thought of facing your responsibilities feels like someone is asking you to build a skyscraper before lunchtime. You close your eyes and pull the covers over your head, wishing that you could rewind back to the start of your weekend.
We ALL know what this feels like. The Monday morning (and sometimes afternoon) blues suck.
If you’re already in the midst of a depressive episode, then the emotional upheaval of Monday morning is amplified exponentially.
The Monday Morning Blues Will Be Conquered Here
Here’s a quick set of hacks to jump-start your Monday. Get ready to remove any psychic glue that keeps you stuck to your bed. Follow these five simple steps, each of which takes anywhere from 20 seconds to a minute, except for Step Four which takes a whopping three minutes or so. Just know that it all starts with investing briefly in the right mindset to get moving. That will be Step One.
Go, go, go.
5 Super Simple Steps to Overcoming Monday Morning Depression
Step 1: Picture yourself conquering your day and ATTACK!
See yourself for 10 seconds in your mind’s eye moving quickly through your Monday morning tasks. Now envision yourself getting angry with all that psychologically holds you back, all those negative thoughts that weigh you down. They have no right to linger in your mind. Show them who’s boss by jumping out of bed with conviction. Flex your muscles and yell, “ATTACK!” Let’s punt your Monday morning blues out the proverbial window. That’s it. Be angry and let it propel you forward. Know that you will feel better in a matter of a few minutes!
Step 2: Create the illusion of control by doing something PERFECTLY!
That’s right. Don’t underestimate the value of treating your mind to the experience of setting a tiny intention and completing it to perfection. Choose anything that takes less than a minute to do perfectly and kill it! Make your bed perfectly. Clean your kitchen countertop. Move your papers on your desk so that they all face the same direction. Wipe your sink so it shines. Anything! Then, once you finish, celebrate how well you set an intention and conquered it by proclaiming out loud, “I did it perfectly.” Give yourself some credit— you created a goal and dominated it.
Step 3: Throw out three items you don’t need.
It’s time to get rid of three things to create a small clearing in the closet in your head. Go ahead. Trash your t-shirt with the brown armpits. Throw away your old shoes with a hole through the sole. Dump a pen that no longer writes well. Get rid of that mug with a chip in it. Let go of the jeans with the huge rip in them that makes them unwearable. Only three things. That’s it! Let it go! In fact, it’s very important to tell yourself, “I’m letting go!” as you toss each item. Celebrate that you just contributed to lightening your mind and your life. Stay angry and carry the momentum to the next step!
Step 4: Play a fight song as you break a tiny sweat doing ANYTHING that doesn’t involve sitting.
Now, if you know a song that serves as a “fight song” for you, put it on now! Don’t waste time choosing a song. If you know one, great. If not, forget the music. Here are four recommendations for kick-ass songs that get me moving: Power by Justin Bieber featuring will.i.am., Out of My Way by Seether, and Stronger or Love Lockdown both by Kanye West. Channel the powerful energy offered by the song, as well as the success you’ve achieved in the past three steps.
Nothing major here. Just do something to get you a bit sweaty! You’ll love it. Get down on the floor and do a 25-second plank. Lie on your back and lift your legs off the ground for three repetitions of 15 seconds. Run in place for a minute. Do a minute of jumping jacks.
You know what makes you sweat. Just do it! Now!
Feel free to let out a primal scream during the song.
Step 5: Spread The Love and Give A Compliment
As you continue to sweat after your mini-exercise, create some positive karma by telling your significant other how much you love him or her, or text someone who has been there for you during a tough time in the past. Just share something loving. Offer a compliment. Be grateful. Let him or her know how thankful you are for what they’ve done or what they stand for. Spread an ounce of love. Open your heart. This will feel good. I promise.
If you follow my lead and go through these 5 super easy steps, you’ll feel better. Try to carry the positive mindset and momentum with you to the next stop along your day. Before you know it, it will be Friday again.
Let me know how it goes.
