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10 simple ways to beat the Monday blues and have a great week

Fed up of wishing the week away? Try these 10 easy ways to have the best week every week

Feeling glum because it's Monday, you've got a load of stress on your back, are struggling with weekend 'jetlag' and despairing because next Friday night seems an awful long way away?

Well it's time to drop the doom and gloom and make the best of the working week. And with these pain-free tips you'll be just as happy to go to work on Mondays and Tuesdays as you are on Friday.



Make a do-do list

Work out what you want to achieve this week, including everything from work goals to making that doctor's appointment, cleaning the bathroom and all those odd chores you always seem to forget.

More importantly, designate days to do them. If you need to make some calls, pick a lunch break for each one and stick to it, making sure you have any notes or reference numbers you need with you.

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Do what you've been avoiding

Beat procrastination from the get go by doing the thing that's been hanging over you all weekend. You know what it is - that presentation you don't want to write, a meeting you don't want to schedule or a phone call you've been dreading.

The pleasure of having it out of the way trumps any temporary relief you might get from putting it off for another day.

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Plan your meals

Decide what you're going to have each day for dinner, pin it to the fridge and make sure you have the ingredients in (or order internet shopping to arrive in the first half of the week so you can stick to your goals).

Try and order the meals to make the most of any left overs you might have from the day before. Coming home to a made decision will take the stress out of meal prep and you won't make an unhealthy choice such as a takeaway pizza.



Work out on a Monday

It may be the last thing you want to do on the grimmest of days but getting in a workout on Monday means you'll be more inspired to do more throughout the week. It'll also give you more energy and make you feel more positive as you go into the next day.

Don't wish the week away

It's easy to do but if you wake up on Monday thinking 'I just have to get through today...' you're setting yourself up for a dragging week and by the end of it you'll feel it was wasted. Instead, concentrate on the positive things about returning to work - getting back into a routine, seeing your colleagues and elements of your job you enjoy.

It's also a good idea to arrange some social events after work so you're not just looking forward to the distant weekend for the return of your social life.

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Have an early night

Monday is the perfect day to get to bed early. You'll be tired thanks to a touch of weekend 'jetlag' and a decent eight hours will make the rest of the week seem completely manageable.



Walk somewhere - anywhere

Find a slot in your day to walk around. Be it to the shops, around the park on your lunch break, to or from work or a trip around the block in the evening after dinner. Fresh air and movement will make you feel better, it'll give you a break from computer and TV screens and if you take a friend or family member, or your dog, you'll get to spend some quality time together.

Do one small thing a day that's just for you

Be it buying a nail varnish, going to a yoga class, eating your favourite treat or phoning a friend up for a chat, make sure you remember to give yourself a break at some point in your day - every day.

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Set your alarm 10 minutes early


Sleep may be the most precious commodity in the working week but be honest with yourself - 10 minutes more in bed isn't going to make a difference to how alert you feel.

But 10 minutes extra awake to ensure you're not rushed in the morning and have time to drink a coffee, tea or even just a glass of water before you leave, as well as mentally preparing for the day, will make a huge difference to how with it you feel.



Change your shower routine

Your morning shower is a pocket of time just for you so if you've got stuck into a rut with boring products, change them up for a treat. Try an aromatherapy shower by picking a new shower gel, fit a shower radio in the bathroom and enjoy your alone-time.