Why Mondays Are So Hard: 6 Scientific Reasons and Therapist-Approved Fixes
Uuuugghh……Mondays!!!!! Why are Mondays so hard?
Well, in an article written by Kathy Benjamin for Mentalfoss.com, there are six scientific reasons why Mondays are the worst. These explanations are backed by psychology and workplace research, highlighting how even minor lifestyle shifts can have major impacts.
6 Scientific Reasons Why Mondays Are So Hard
- Sleep Patterns: “Our minds are slaves to our body clocks. Most people like to sleep in on the weekend, and it throws our body clocks off.”
- Socializing: Kathy writes, “Humans are social animals, and to feel happy we need to feel comfortable with our place in a ‘tribe.’ Even after just two days away, we need to make sure our place in our work environment is secure.”
- Sudden Change: “All workdays are equally terrible. But if you ask people to remember which day was worst, they will always say Monday. This comes down to the emotional shift from Sunday (a happy weekend day) to Monday (a workday).”
- You Feel Worst About Yourself: “Your average weekend might involve eating, drinking, or smoking more than usual. One study found that American women of all ages and locations feel least attractive on Mondays.”
- You Are Less Healthy: “On a Monday, you’re actually less healthy. Even those who maintain their weight weigh the most on Mondays. Mondays also have the highest rates of heart attacks and strokes.”
- You Don’t Like Your Job: According to a Gallup poll, 70% of people are disengaged from their job, fueling what psychiatrists call the “Monday Blues.”
As Kathy Benjamin describes, Mondays are scientifically horrible!
How to Fix the reasons Why Mondays Are So Hard
Maintain a Consistent Sleep Schedule
Try keeping your weekend sleep schedule close to your weekday routine. This can help reduce grogginess and recalibrate your internal clock.
Build Inner Security Through Self-Love and Therapy
Rather than seeking validation at work, focus on building your own confidence and emotional security. Consider connecting with a therapist to help navigate these feelings.
Shift Your Perspective on Workload
Sometimes it’s not the tasks, but the perception of tasks, that feels heavy. Try to remember that Monday’s work is rarely more than any other day.
Stay Healthy Over the Weekend
Eating mindfully and exercising on the weekend helps maintain energy and emotional stability on Monday. It’s not about restriction—it’s about self-care.
Find Work That Fulfills You
Long-term, it might help to align your work with your values. Whether it’s changing roles or reinventing your purpose, loving your work can transform your Mondays.
Why Weekend Habits Make Mondays Feel Worse
Living “for the weekend” may seem normal, but it can actually be impulsive behavior—engaging in things without thinking of Monday’s consequences. Could how we spend Saturday be why we dread Monday?
Listen—have fun on the weekend. Have a ball! Just make small adjustments so you can enjoy your entire week, not just two days of it.
“To change your Monday, you must change your weekend.”
Outbound resource: For more insight, read this Psychology Today article on why Mondays are so miserable.
Written by: Q. Edmonds
M.O.T.M. StoryTeller