Gruesome Monday Blues

What does this term ‘MONDAY BLUES’ means? 

It's true that many folks get the Monday blues. Often referred to as "having a case of the Mondays," the phrase describes the depressive, anxious, or unmotivated feelings we may experience at the beginning of the workweek. The Monday blues are a genuine emotion rather than a medical condition. When the weekend ends, some people may experience anxiety since it can be difficult to get back into the routine of work or school. It does not refer to a specific, diagnosable ailment and is not a medical term. Therefore, it is not included in the text revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5-TR). 

Monday blues and disorders like anxiety, issues like adjustment and sadness share some of the similarities. Monday-morning blues SYMPTOMS can include: 

• Regret feeling
• Sluggishness or weariness
• Feeling extremely nervous
• Extra anxious about the upcoming week
• Generally uneasy or dreadful
• Alterations in hunger
• Insomnia
• Muscle tension
• Body pain/ headache or stomachache

The Monday blues can have many different CAUSES, but the following are some typical ones: Let us discuss the ones which are mainly due to job or employment-

• Job dissatisfaction and Burnout- If you find yourself "living for the weekend" and always dreading going back to work, it might be time to reevaluate your current role. You can experience burnout at a job you love if you're taking on too much or dealing with uncontrollable circumstances. Reevaluating your role doesn't have to entail pursuing a career shift or even looking for work elsewhere in your industry. It might only take a little adjustment to your hours or present duties to feel more doable.

• Cognitive Distortions- A cognitive distortion is a distorted way of thinking that often has negative effects on an individual's worldview. Among the instances are: 

1. Catastrophizing is the act of assuming the worst and overgeneralizing is the application of one situation's result to all others.
2.  "All or nothing" or "black-and-white" thinking is characterized by excessive thinking that obscures subtleties.
3.  The Monday blues can be exacerbated by thinking negatively about the upcoming week or, more broadly, about your performance at work.
   
    

• Disruptive Weekend Habits- It's normal to want to unwind and have fun on the weekends, particularly if your workweek is really regimented. However, even seemingly unwinding weekend activities might have a significant effect on your Monday mood. For example, it's usually a good idea to catch up on sleep over the weekend. However, research suggests that if your weekend sleep schedule deviates significantly from your weekday schedule, it may disrupt your body's natural rhythms. A hangover or comedown from using drugs or alcohol over the weekend might also negatively impact your mood on Monday morning. 

• Conflict or Communication issues with a co-worker or supervisor- In the context of "Monday blues," communication issues with co-workers or supervisors can be exacerbated by the general feeling of reluctance or low energy that often accompanies the start of the workweek.

1. Lack of Engagement: On Mondays, colleagues may appear less receptive or involved in discussions. This can be the result of fatigue or a sluggish return to work following the weekend.
2. Misinterpretation of Tone: In messages or interactions, people may misunderstand the tone or intent. Monday mornings may evoke a sense of impatience or urgency that can cause miscommunication.
3. Focus Issues: It could be more difficult to focus or remain on topic during meetings or conversations. Sometimes people's minds are still on weekend activities or are still getting used to work tasks.

The ones that are in students’ life are as follows-

Unfinished assignments and home-work- Students who have a large amount of incomplete schoolwork may feel overburdened by the amount of work they have ahead of them this week. Students who have unfinished assignments may experience anxiety about meeting deadlines and finishing homework on time. At the beginning of the school week, this anxiousness can get worse, especially if they haven't improved over the weekend.  Students' ability to focus fully on the material being taught can be hindered during classes or when studying when they are aware that they have homework to do. Pupils who put off finishing their tasks over the weekend may experience feelings of guilt or regret.

Poor Peer Relationships- It is one of the worst-case scenarios for students to be in such environment. Students who don't have a strong and encouraging peer group may feel alone, especially when they return to school on Mondays following the weekend. Emotions like melancholy or anxiety may be exacerbated by this loneliness. Peer bullying and marginalization can cause students to feel more anxious about social situations, especially on Mondays when they are expected to engage with other students. Stress from peers can interfere with focus and concentration in the classroom, which can impede academic achievement. This can then start a vicious cycle of worry and poor performance.

Unpleasant Environment in the School- A bad school climate might play a big part in why students get the Monday blues. A bad school environment can affect students' experiences and sentiments. Students may experience increased stress and anxiety in the event of a hostile or tense environment at school. This might be especially noticeable on Mondays when people expect to return from the weekend to a demanding work environment. Students' enthusiasm to learn and participate in class activities may be reduced under a bad school climate. The start of the school week is usually when this lack of motivation is most apparent.