Ways to overcome your hate for Mondays

The song says, "Rainy days and Mondays always get me down." But it doesn't have to be that way, especially with Monday.

Dr. Joe Rock, a psychologist at Cleveland Clinic, says if you're trying to make Monday better, you must start with Sunday night.

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"Our brains are wired to look ahead and if what you're looking ahead to is Monday, not only are you looking forward to going to work, but you're also looking forward to all week long, all of the stuff that you have to do. Those "have tos" start getting into your head, instead of the "want tos." Weekend is full of "want tos" work is full of "have tos," Rock explained.

Rock says if you find something to do on Sunday night that you enjoy, like watch a movie, visit with friends or listen to music, it will keep your thoughts from drifting back to Monday.

The psychologist says you can also ease into the week. It starts by planning on Sunday.  For example,  iron your work clothes or make your lunch to save some time Monday morning and avoid rushing.

And when you get into work on Monday, get some coffee, catch-up with co-workers, and "settle" into the work week.             

"Just do what you need to do Monday morning. If you have any discretion about what you need to do pick the things that you like the most. If you've got to call 10 people, call the one you like first. Again- ease yourself into it," said Rock.

Rock says you can also plan to do some things early in the week, outside of work, that will give you something to look forward to.

"If you plan some things for early in the week, like I am going to get out of the building for lunch today instead of eating at my desk. I'm going to meet a friend for a drink after work. I am going out to dinner with someone on Tuesday. It's something concrete that competes with all of the stuff that is going to be rushing through your mind otherwise about work," suggested Rock.

Rock says if Monday's get you down, be mindful of it, and start making changes to make them better. 

Also, if Mondays are particularly difficult for you, experts say, quit sleeping in on weekends.  Those extra hours shift your body clock just enough to make you feel *extra* fatigued on Monday and Tuesday mornings.