Ladies, it’s time for us to break up with the pre-Monday jitters. While I believe the adage “if you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life” rings true, shifting from laid-back weekend vibes to 9-5 work mode isn’t exactly a cakewalk. Without fail, when the clock strikes 3 p.m. on Sunday afternoon and the last hours of the weekend are dwindling, the anxiety sets in: I ruminate over the impending list of to-dos waiting for me, and the thought “if only I had one more day” plays on repeat as if I could will it enough to come to fruition.
There’s no denying Monday has a way of showing up too quickly, but with some planning and get-ahead hacks, you can, dare I say, be excited about the workweek. Read on for a breakdown of the ideal Sunday reset to combat the Monday blues and start the week off right.
1. Get moving
I don’t have to tell you that dwelling on what you didn’t get to do over the weekend isn’t going to make a case of the Mondays go away. The best solution? Stop with the pity party and move your body. Because, when do you ever regret a workout? Breaking a sweat will rev up your feel-good hormones, letting those “Debbie Downer” thoughts and feelings fall by the wayside. And when you have obé Fitness to turn to, there’s no shortage of workouts at your fingertips to snap you out of a funk. Whether you feel like dancing it out, crave cardio boxing to work out your stress, or need to slow it down with some Pilates or restorative yoga, they’ve got you covered. Plus, with live and on-demand options that range from 5-60 minutes, you can check off scheduling your week of workouts. To get you started, use code TEG50 for a 7-day free trial + 50% off your first month of obé!
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2. Do a quick clean-up and get organized
IMO, there’s nothing worse than my house in disarray: the bed not made, miscellaneous clutter on the kitchen counters, laundry piled up. Call me a perfectionist or anal (it’s no secret I’m a Type One)—a clean and organized space equals peace of mind. So before you call it a day on Sunday, ask Alexa to set a timer for 10 minutes and throw a load of laundry in the washer, put strewn items where they belong (that goes for the stack of papers you’ve been avoiding on your desk), purge anything you no longer need, and do a quick sweep of high-traffic areas. So when Monday morning rolls around, you can start fresh and get straight to killing it at work.
3. Wash your makeup brushes
I’m here to deliver the dirty truth: Your brushes are hotbeds for bacteria. If you can’t remember the last time you gave your cosmetic tools a good scrub, they’re long overdue for one. While it’s not the most fun thing to do and you have bigger fish to fry, sudsing up in the name of preventing breakouts is 100 percent worth it, if you ask me. What’s more, giving your makeup brushes some weekly TLC can extend their lifespan and help make beauty products go on easier and smoother.
4. Be fully present
PSA: Practicing mindfulness doesn’t have to be a daunting task. When you roll out of bed (hopefully bright-eyed and bushy-tailed) Sunday morning, make it a point to live in the moment, no matter how you decide to spend the day. It’s only natural to think about what you’re going to do or eat next, but when you find your attention wandering from the present, take a pause. That can look like taking a deep breath, focusing on your five senses, going for a walk, connecting with a loved one, or saying affirmations aloud. By learning to stay present, we can rewrite the anxiety-ridden thinking that Monday brings and begin to look at it in a positive way.
5. Get between the sheets
If there’s one day to sleep in and stay in bed all day, it’s Sunday (although, I can’t be the only one who fantasizes about it every morning), making it the ideal day to engage in sexual activity. Whether it’s a morning quickie or experimenting with new sex positions, the Sunday romp is where it’s at. The cherry on top? Orgasms reduce stress, helping shake off those Sunday Scaries. And if you’re going at it alone, even more reason to get sexy (you don’t need a partner to have a good time, BTW).
6. Treat yourself
Let’s be honest, who doesn’t like receiving gifts? Treating yourself to something that brings you joy will help flip the script on a negative mindset. For me, the simple act of taking myself on a matcha latte date instantly boosts my mood (the caffeine pick-me-up doesn’t hurt either). Then, there’s always retail therapy to turn a frown upside down (hello, new matching set). If it’s food that speaks to you, cook up some comfort food with your bestie IRL or over Zoom. And if all else fails, there’s always chocolate. It’s been shown to improve your mood, after all.
7. Set boundaries
If there’s one surefire way to dredge up the all-too-familiar anxiety, it’s having to follow through on an engagement you didn’t want to say “yes” to from the get-go. So be honest with yourself and only commit to plans you truly want to participate in, no matter what day of the week. If that means getting over FOMO and declining a GNO or dinner date invitation ahead of time to take care of your needs, brava! And it doesn’t only apply to your social calendar—don’t agree to taking on another project or helping a co-worker with a task if you’re already spread too thin. You’ll be a better friend, partner, and employee when you show up for yourself.
8. Establish an intention or goal
Banish the Sunday Scaries by setting a clear objective, or your “why,” for the upcoming week. Perhaps you want to feel good. What are things in your control that you can do this week to give you that warm, fuzzy sensation? Is it working out, volunteering, or quality time with your SO? Having an attainable purpose to set your sights on will not only help create a positive association with the week ahead but also ease any fears of what might or might not happen.
9. Give yourself a lymphatic massage
OK, I know it doesn’t come close to going to the spa and actually getting a rubdown, but your body will thank you for some in-between upkeep à la you. Did I mention lymphatic drainage massage detoxes the body of gunk that has built up in your tissues, boosting your immune system, reducing water retention, and promoting relaxation (read: you look and feel better)? Convinced? Once you’ve got the green light from your doc, give it a go.
10. Wind down early
ICYMI, self-care Sunday is a thing. Do yourself a favor and start your wind-down routine an hour earlier Sunday night to allow yourself ample time to just chill (don’t get that confused with Netflix and chill). Resist the urge to cue up your latest show obsession or doomscroll and opt for pre-bedtime activities that promote relaxation, like reading, journaling, or listening to music. You’ll be glad come Monday morning when you feel well-rested and ready to take on the day. The best part? You’ve set a positive tone for the entire week. Back-to-work dread, be gone!
