Making Moves: 8 healthy mental habits to have a productive Monday

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,