Wellness Wednesday (n°1): Thank God it's Monday?!?!

The Sunday blues are a very real thing. It isn't that we don't enjoy our jobs or feel accomplished as we work through our to do lists and busy schedules. But Mondays can be challenging. It's difficult to relinquish the sweet freedom of the weekend and get back into a routine that offers fewer moments for relaxing and losing all track of time in favorite hobbies and activities. 

What if there was a way to kick the Sunday blues? To make Monday amazing? Luckily a few of my favorite podcasters explore this idea on their fun and engaging wellness podcast. Sisters Gretchen Rubin (you may know some of her best selling books such as The Happiness Project and Better Than Before) and Elizabeth Craft go live every Tuesday with a new episode of Happier (search Happier in the Apple iTunes store). Episode 48 explores the Sunday blues and gave me an incredible idea: plan something each Monday to look forward to. Plan to make Monday an amazing day. 

For me, these Monday plans don't have to be big. Some of the things I plan to make Monday amazing are quite small, but knowing I have something to look forward to when my alarm sounds to ring in the new week changes my outlook and sets me up for a great day and week ahead. 

Here are some ways I make Monday amazing:

1. Trader Joe's Almond Croissants 
These flaky, buttery, sweet treats bring the pâtisserie right to my apartment. They take 6-7 hours to rise, so I set one out on a sheet of parchment Sunday night. Then, I preheat and let bake while I am getting ready and brewing a fresh cup of coffee (Ronnoco hazelnut is my at home favorite). Knowing I have a delectable petit dejeuner ahead is just enough to put some extra pep in my Monday step.

2. Podcast and power walk with The Simple Sophisticate
Shannon Ables' podcast, The Simple Sophisticate, goes live every Monday. I always save the episode for a Monday afternoon walk as soon as I get home from work. It's the perfect treat to look forward to, it gets me moving in the fresh air, and it gives me a moment of mindfulness as I transition from work to home. 

3. Take a yoga class.
I am very fortunate to have a lovely studio, Yoga in Demun, just a block down the street. Monday nights offer a yoga for strength and flexibility that boost my strength both inside and out. 

These things are very simple, but they do so much for my outlook toward the new week. Other simple ways to make Monday amazing might include planning a coffee date with a good friend, setting aside time for a favorite Netflix episode, hitting the local library to check out new reads, etc. The sky is the limit. 

Do you have ways that you make Monday amazing? What are some new things you might try? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Warm wishes from me to you,

Lauren