Happiful January 2020
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Changing the story can empower you to take control and, most of<br />
all, take action. What new story do you need to tell yourself to make<br />
Monday’s meaning more comfortable?<br />
place to help solve it,” says Jessica.<br />
“Ask yourself: who can help? What<br />
do you need in order to tackle it?<br />
How can you prepare? If you don’t<br />
enjoy your work, what can you do<br />
to change that?<br />
“Changing the story can empower<br />
you to take control and, most of<br />
all, take action. What new story<br />
do you need to tell yourself to<br />
make Monday’s meaning more<br />
comfortable?”<br />
Try journaling with these<br />
questions, and when you’re ready,<br />
add in the following actions to help<br />
reinforce your new, positive story<br />
about Mondays.<br />
PLAN AHEAD<br />
Planning your week may sound<br />
simple, but it can have a powerful<br />
effect in reducing stress. If you<br />
work Monday to Friday, try writing<br />
your to-do list for the following<br />
week on Friday, before you finish.<br />
This can help you to set boundaries<br />
and leave work at work.<br />
Jessica says planning ahead can<br />
help you to be more proactive<br />
when Monday comes around.<br />
“If Sunday evenings give you<br />
anxiety, get yourself ready for<br />
Monday morning by planning your<br />
clothes, lunch, bag etc. before<br />
you go to sleep. Go to bed at a<br />
reasonable time – feeling fresh and<br />
prepared will make Mondays more<br />
manageable.”<br />
Jessica also recommends<br />
journaling about something you’re<br />
grateful for, to help the brain focus<br />
on the positives. “Doing this on a<br />
Sunday evening before bed will<br />
help get your mindset focused in<br />
a positive way, before Monday has<br />
even arrived.”<br />
ENJOY MOMENTS OF PAUSE<br />
If your Mondays feel like a<br />
whirlwind, they are bound to<br />
make you feel anxious. Try to plan<br />
in pockets of calm. This could be<br />
enjoying a slower morning than<br />
usual, having a mindful cup of<br />
tea before diving into your inbox,<br />
or even doing some meditation<br />
during your lunch break.<br />
Give your body a chance to<br />
decompress throughout the day,<br />
too. Head out for a walk or a gym<br />
class in the evening, to help release<br />
any built-up tension.<br />
SCHEDULE SOMETHING TO<br />
LOOK FORWARD TO<br />
Make Mondays a day you truly<br />
look forward to by scheduling in<br />
something fun. “The brain loves<br />
a reward, and will happily move<br />
towards it,” says Jessica. “Plan<br />
something that will make you feel<br />
good, a call with a friend, a date,<br />
a yoga class – something that is<br />
nourishing or nurturing, to reward<br />
you for making it through the day<br />
in once piece.”<br />
DO SOMETHING KIND FOR<br />
SOMEONE ELSE<br />
A sure-fire way to stop us<br />
becoming overwhelmed is to put<br />
the focus firmly on someone else.<br />
Try to make Monday a day for<br />
showing kindness towards others.<br />
Why not bring in cakes for your<br />
colleagues, or start your day by<br />
telling someone how much they<br />
mean to you?<br />
Small acts of kindness like these<br />
have a ripple effect, and can make<br />
Mondays more enjoyable for<br />
everyone.<br />
AND IF YOU’RE STILL<br />
DREADING MONDAYS?<br />
If you’re struggling to change your<br />
mindset, or if you think a bigger<br />
change may be needed, you may<br />
find it helpful to reach out for<br />
support. Coaches, like Jessica,<br />
can help you to navigate change,<br />
whether it’s in your life or your<br />
career. To learn more, and to find a<br />
coach who resonates with you, visit<br />
lifecoach-directory.org.uk
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