8 Mood Boosters for Monday Mornings

Be Prepared

Whether you're a career woman or a stay-at-home mom, you no doubt look forward to the weekend as a mini vacation away from the daily grind. You might even get a chance to have a grown-ups-only dinner on Saturday night! No matter what your weekend holds, it always seems that Monday morning arrives too quickly, and getting motivated for the week is harder than ever before. These eight simple strategies will help you wake up energized, instead of miserable.

1. Start your to-do list Sunday night. Instead of starting the week feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do, get a jump-start by accomplishing a few tasks the night before, such as replying to a handful of e-mails, preparing a meeting agenda, or making your grocery list. Using Sunday evening to get oriented and organized will help you feel in control all week long.

2. Plan a low-key activity for Sunday night. If you're the type of person who dreads Sunday night as much as Monday morning, then starting your to-do list early is probably the wrong move for you. Instead, plan a relaxing activity to extend the weekend and take your mind off tomorrow's woes. A family game, a movie with your spouse, or even an early dinner at home with friends may be just the special treat you need. Sunday is still the weekend, after all!

3. Clean your desk on Friday afternoon. The last few hours of the Friday workday are frequently unproductive. Take advantage of that down-time to straighten up your space. Put priority items in a neat pile. File away and throw away as much as possible. Update your to-do list. Check your calendar for Monday and get out the items you'll need now. Your clean workspace will feel refreshing come Monday morning, and you'll be able to focus and get to work quickly.