Making Moves: 8 healthy mental habits to have a productive Monday
How can it be Monday already?
Do you ever find yourself already dreading the day to start? You are not alone.
But you can turn your Monday around. You can change your attitude, making Mondays a day filled with joy and happiness.
I believe creating healthy mental habits will help you have a more productive Monday and give your week the jumpstart it needs to end well. As a military wife, educator, and mom of four, here are eight habits that put in me in a productive mental mindset at the beginning of my week.
1. Pray
Even before I allow my hand to grab my phone or allow my feet to touch the floor, I try to make it a priority to start my day with prayer. Laying in my bed, I let my first thoughts to express thankfulness and acknowledge God’s divine plan for my day. I must take this time! It can be challenging to stay God-focused for my day when I allow everything and everyone else to start filling my mental space and heart before I even get out the bed.
2. Spend time in God’s word
The way this looks varies. When my children were smaller, I was breastfeeding, or recovering from an illness, how and when I spend time in God’s word looked different. I have learned to embrace grace. Some days I can study before my children are up for the day, others I need the quiet time after everyone has gone to bed for the day. Regardless, of what it will look like for you, prioritize getting in the word.
3. Schedule something that brings you joy
Instead of rewarding yourself at the end of the week, start your week already filled with doing something that brings you joy. If it’s writing, carve time out to write. If it’s working out, go exercise. If it’s self-care, get your nails done. If it’s girl time with a friend, schedule the lunch. Whatever your “it” is put it on your schedule for Monday.
4. Get up
Of all the things to do on a Monday, this is my biggest hurdle. According to research, if you want to have a more productive Monday, the worst thing you could do is hit the snooze button. You already start your day delaying creating a ripple effect in your day. Don’t hit that button. Adjust your night so you can get up on time.
5. Protect my space
One of the worst habits I have picked up over the years is multitasking. I would eat through lunch. Check emails while on the phone. Instead of trying to do it “all,” focus on the one thing and do it well. Your stress levels will be lower, and you might find yourself working more efficiently.
6. Reflect
At the end of my day, I spend time reflecting. I allow myself to pause while remembering what went well, what I could improve, and what I need to release. You could keep a journal, a gratitude log, or even chat it out. Whatever your process, don’t rush into tomorrow without embracing all of today.
7. Laugh
I love to laugh, but with my “let’s get things done” attitude sometimes I miss the moment. Instead of rushing my kids to the next, I allow myself to be in their space. I chuckle at the corny jokes. I dance with my hubby in the kitchen. I watch a comedy. More importantly, I remind myself life is meant to be lived.
8. Connect with others
Connecting with others is my favorite. I make sure to get up to pray, hug, and kiss my husband good-bye when he leaves the house at 4:30 am. When my fellas leave our home for school, we kiss, we hug, I yell “I love you” as they walk about the car. (Yep, I am that mom.) But connecting with others goes beyond the people in my home. I intentionally send a text or make a call to show I care. All of these little behaviors help me to continue fostering healthy relationships with those I love. Remember, you don’t have to do a lot, be consistent.
Changing your attitude from “Monday blues” to “Monday Motivation” doesn’t have to be challenging. You just make one healthy mental habit after the next. Before you know it, you might start looking forward to the beginning of a new week filled with untapped potential.
What would you add to the list?
Cheering you on this week,
-
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anothermommyblogging
I love this! Especially, spending time with God part- I will spend time with God whenever I can- I praise and talk with Him throughout my day until I get to spend time reading a devotion or my Bible. I think that by giving yourself grace to have time with God at any moment rather than a specific moment relieves that stress, especially for mamas who are longing for spiritual connection.
Mamie L. Pack
anothermommybloggingYes! I felt bad for so long when I did not study first thing in the morning. It became a task to check off instead of building relationship. That grace factor is huge.
Jennifer Maune
Love tip number 3! I like the idea of starting your week with a little bit of a reward to get yourself off on the right foot!
-Jennifer
https://maunelegacy.com
Mamie L. Pack
Jennifer MauneWonderful! Are you putting something fun on your calendar for this week?
Sarah
Laughter I definitely think is great to start out your week.
Vanessa
Yes! Making God a priority in any relationship is important and especially in your own personal relationship.
Mamie L. Pack
VanessaExactly Vanessa!!!!
colossalumbrella
I love these tips! Starting a week with a a joy of bag is great. I would love to incorporate that. I usually start my Monday with good breakfast.
Mamie L. Pack
colossalumbrellaHey, a good breakfast can fill you with joy if it is something you look forward to eating. 😉
thediynuts
Great ideas and just want was needed on a Monday morning!
suburbangoddessmom
Love this. So positive and true. I read this on the perfect or more likely least perfect Monday. I needed this today!
Mamie L. Pack
suburbangoddessmomYay!! Hopefully you can start to include them one at a time.
Sherry Lee
I love these healthy habits! I think the whole world would be more peaceful if we all started our week out this way! 🙂
Sonja- Too Much Character
I am a firm believer in finding the funny each day. If I can do that, I can also appreciate the joy when it pops up. Great suggestions for this Monday!
Mamie L. Pack
Sonja- Too Much CharacterLaughter makes things so much lighter.
Amber
This is a great list! Sometimes we need written down reminders to keep our days running smoothly 🙂 The only thing that I would add that is essential for me is to stretch! Stretching keeps my body feeling great and I feel better mentally when I feel physically healthy 🙂
Great article!
caitlinsbeautycloset
These are great tips! I especially love starting the day out with a prayer and some quiet time.
Mamie L. Pack
caitlinsbeautyclosetMe too!!! It makes such a difference. Do you have a good study Bible you use?
caitlinsbeautycloset
Mamie L. PackI don’t!! I really would love to find one though!
Mamie L. Pack
caitlinsbeautyclosetI have a few that I love. One is the Maxwell Leadership Bible. It is phenomenal.
Julia from Balancing Bravely
What a great list. I especially love #5 – protect your space.
Mamie L. Pack
Julia from Balancing BravelyOh, yes. It is so easy to just be relaxed with our calendars. What space are your protecting?
spoonie-mama
Love the idea of remaking mondays into a more productive way by changing simple ways.
Mamie L. Pack
spoonie-mamaWonderful! What can you do to make the most of your next Monday?
Bethany
These are defintiely all great reminders! Thanks for sharing.
Mamie L. Pack
BethanyThanks!
Anh
Great habits! I especially like the one where you schedule something that brings you joy. Thank you for sharing!
Mamie L. Pack
AnhThanks Anh! What are you putting on your calendar next week to bring you joy?
Ann
This came at the perfect time!! You have started my Monday off with a bang! Thank you!!
Natalie
Happy Monday, so glad I found this post! Since becoming more prayerful I’ve noticed how much more peace I have. Such a great list!
Mamie L. Pack
NataliePrayer makes a big difference for everything.
lifeofababema
I love everything about this post especially #2! I love that you’ve given us all practical and actionable tips…I’ve pinned this because I NEED IT! Thank you!
omo Christi Nimi
Great actionable steps to having a productive Monday
riannagalvez
This is very positive! I love how it focuses on growing your faith at the same time. Thank you for this!!
Kelly
#5 and #7 is what I need to work on. I often work through lunch and end up in my office all day. Laughing more is what I need. I get so busy with the kids, house chores and quick to complain. I need to stop and smile more and think about all my blessings. Thanks for the daily reminder.
Mamie L. Pack
KellyOh, I am with you Kelly. It’s so easy to focus on the task and not the living.
Jacquie
Great tips for clearing the mind and starting a fresh week
Mamie L. Pack
JacquieThanks so much!
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