by FastMed Urgent Care
It’s common to dread Monday morning but those feelings are typically heightened on Sunday, otherwise known as ‘a case of the Sunday blues.’ While scrambling to wrap up the weekend and preparing for the week ahead, you may experience unnecessary mental and emotional strain, as well as stress which has the tendency to lead to other health issues, like a weakened immune system. No, thanks!
In a recent poll conducted by Monster identified that 76% of Americans experience ‘Sunday blues’ so you take solace in knowing you’re not alone. With next week’s Sunday blues just around the corner, here are some proactive steps you can take to enjoy the weekends to the fullest and wake up the following Monday feeling motivated and ready to take on the week ahead. Yes, please!
Schedule lunch with a friend for Monday.
Inviting a former coworker, friend, family member, or a colleague to lunch allows you to look forward to something outside of the normal work setting. Rather than dreading your Monday alarm, you’ll find yourself more motivated Monday morning when you have exciting plans later in the day. If lunch doesn’t work, a morning coffee date to kickstart your day, happy hour or even dinner is great too – whichever works best for your schedule.
Refrain from checking your work email.
With work email accessible on most electronic devices, people are often expected to be available 24/7 – it’s how our society has become. However, a healthy work/life balance is important, and chances are, the people emailing you on a Sunday won’t reply to your response until the following Monday. Give yourself the day off – a very well-deserved mental break – and enjoy your day without distraction.
Limit your caffeine and alcohol intake.
A shortage of sleep Sunday night can add unnecessary stress Monday morning, and both alcohol and caffeine can increase anxiety and that’s no way to start the workweek. Avoid any caffeine or alcohol intake seven hours before bed – especially to fall into the deep REM sleep.
Try daily vitamins and/or supplements.
Taking daily vitamins and supplements are a great way to reduce stress and anxiety, but also provide the nutrients you may not be able to consume throughout the day. Amino acids like GABA and vitamins including Omega-3 Fatty Acids are recommended and natural ways for healthy mood regulation and cognitive functioning.
Now that you have the tools to chase those Sunday blues away, go carpe that deim!
About FastMed Urgent Care
FastMed Urgent Care owns and operates 109 clinics in North Carolina, Arizona and Texas, providing a broad range of acute/episodic and preventive healthcare services 365 days per year. FastMed also provides workers’ comp services at all of its clinics, and family and sports medicine services at select locations. FastMed has successfully treated more than 5.8 million patients since the opening of its first clinic in 2005, and is the largest urgent care operator to be awarded the Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval® for accreditation in healthcare quality and safety in ambulatory healthcare. For more information about locations, services, hours of operation, insurance and prices, visit www.FastMed.com.
