How to Get Ready for Monday: Best Routines to Prepare for Work [Infographic]

It's the weekend and you wish it would never end, because you dread the prospect of Monday rolling around again. There never seems to be enough time to get chores and errands done, much less have opportunities for pampering, self-care, and hobbies. You may even feel sad, a very real phenomenon which is known as the “Sunday Scaries” or anticipatory anxiety. But inevitably, it’ll be time to get back to work. 

So how to get ready for Monday?

The secret to having a good work week is to put in the time and energy to physically and mentally prepare for work. As in most things, it’s best to be organized and focused. But it’s difficult to do that if you don’t have energy. That’s why it’s important to set aside time for restful activities on your days off to recharge you for the week ahead. 

Once you’re relaxed and raring to face the week’s challenges, sit and think about what needs to be done. What activities and tasks will you be doing? What do you need to learn or do in advance to help yourself do the job well? How do you best manage your time?  

In short, it all starts with a plan. Why not make a list of the most helpful and best routines to prepare for work? JobStreet has compiled the ultimate checklist below!

Also read: De-Stressing Over Lunch

How to Get Ready for Monday: Your Ultimate Checklist!

Pamper yourself.

Self-care is important because if you are stressed and anxious, you won’t be as efficient or effective at work. Think about what calms and soothes you – a massage? An afternoon at a spa with a relaxing soak and body scrub? Whatever you choose to do, make sure it’s what you really want! You’ll feel all the better for it.

Make time for hobbies.

“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy,” so the saying goes. Studies have shown that engaging in leisure activities can have a positive impact on our health and mood. What’s your passion – visual art, music, crafts, writing, baking? Whatever it is, make time to create! To motivate yourself to make art, gather your art and craft supplies in a box and place them within easy reach. If you love music, even 30 minutes a day to strum a guitar or sing on a magic mic will do wonders to elevate your mood.

Also Read: 3 Steps to Regain Work-Life Balance During the New Normal

Reward yourself with a treat. 

Once in a while, spoil yourself! Eat at that restaurant you’ve always wanted to try, buy that scented candle, watch that movie at the iMax theater. Give yourself a little treat now and then as a pat on the back for a job well done.  

Spend time with family and friends.

Among the most important things in life are the bonds we have with our friends and family. Research on attitudes toward regret shows that the top-ranked regrets are related to relationships that were not maintained, or opportunities for connection that were not taken. Keep the important relationships in your life healthy with regular activities such as a family meal or outing, a movie with friends, or video calls with loved ones abroad.

Get your groove on. 

“Music hath charms to soothe the savage breast,” wrote playwright William Congreve over 400 years ago, meaning music can calm aggressive feelings. A study found that listening to music you enjoy can have health benefits such as preventing heart attacks and strengthening the heart. Listening to your favorite playlist (not the one with anxiety-producing music, though!) is a good way to prepare mentally for work in the week ahead.

Also Read: 5 Signs You Need to Take Some Time Off From Work

Work that body!

Keep regular exercise as one of your routines to prepare for work. To be able to work well, one must be in good physical condition. Even easy regular movements, at least half an hour a day, will help relieve stress and regulate health. Choose an activity you enjoy, whether it’s gym training, yoga, or Zumba. It can be as simple as putting on a pair of sneakers and walking briskly around your neighborhood. Use it or lose it!

Eat fresh and healthy!

Nutrition is an important part of health. Make sure to get the recommended servings of fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy proteins. Go for lightly-cooked meals – steamed, boiled, baked, sauteed -- rather than those that are deep-fried and too spicy, and reduce your intake of processed food and sugar. Think and eat fresh!

Get groomed. 

Whether you work onsite or remotely, it’s always important to look your best at the office or on Zoom. Take time for that haircut, facial, and mani-pedi – you deserve the attention, and being well-groomed makes you feel more confident and ready to face Monday!

Lay out your clothes for the week.

To save time, plan ahead your outfits for the week, even if you work from home. Place your items of clothing on a hanger, one for each day of work. Dressing for the job means being presentable and appropriate at all times. If you work remotely, ditch the old t-shirts and joggers, and slip into a nice button-down blouse or shirt and pants or skirt – you’ll never know when you need to take that important video call with a client or boss!  

Set up your workspace.

To best prepare for work at home, set up a good workspace. If it’s in the bedroom, try creating a small office space with a screen or curtains, or consider moving to the living room or another room so that you feel more like you are at an office. Check that your equipment – laptop, mic, camera, printer, other gadgets – is functioning properly. Make sure your wifi connection is working. Put office supplies in boxes within easy reach. Invest in a good office chair and a desk at the right height for you, to avoid stress and back pain. 

Update your planner.

You drank all that coffee last holiday season to avail of that gorgeous planner – now be sure to use it! On Sunday night, sit down and go over your schedule for the week. Update the entries for each day. Note tasks, meetings, and upcoming deadlines. You got this!

Read up on work-related topics.

Now list the tasks you need to do that require preparation on your part, such as research or study on how to perform a procedure or get something done. The internet makes all that easy!

Plan your commute.

If you work onsite, plan your route to work, whether you drive or take public transportation. Take note of road constructions, flooded areas, heavy traffic, and the like – you don’t want to be late! Allot enough time for the trip, including an allowance for delays. 

Sleep early. 

It’s important to get enough sleep on Sunday night to get rested and ready for Monday. An hour before bedtime, switch off all screens, pick up a good book, and relax, to wake refreshed and recharged.

It Helps to Plan Ahead

A checklist helps by enumerating your best routines to prepare for work, physically and mentally. Use this simple but powerful tool regularly to mentally prepare for work and get ready for Monday!

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