Experts Explain Why Mondays Are So Psychologically Hard

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Living for the weekend

Someone who sees their weekend experience as the only source of happiness will feel like Monday is the end of their life.

Leading a double life - that of paying bills and going to work on the one side, and personal enjoyment on weekends on the other side - will always lead to difficult Mondays, unless the two can be merged.

When we're not prepared for a new week

People often dislike Mondays if they didn't prepare for the start of the week emotionally and logistically.

Many people fail to realize they subconsciously prepared to fail. If we don't plan, Mondays can be very stressful and unbearable.

Your body’s natural rhythm is messed up on weekends

People’s moods are commonly at their lowest on Mondays. The main reason is that we cram as much as possible into a weekend.

Many people are eating and drinking too much, and going to sleep later. Catching up with family and friends requires emotional and logistical energy. By Monday, we are more tired than we want to be, which directly correlates with a low mood.

When we don’t love our jobs

Disliking your job or finding it very stressful can cause you to dread Mondays.

Even if you enjoy your job, additional stressors can make it more challenging, such as employment insecurity or feeling misaligned in your purpose at work. Once you accept that every job will have its struggles, you can move with the stress, not against it.

People that don't deal well with transitions

Mondays involve transitions where you have to face the unknown. You may be anticipating the stressors it may bring, such as anxiety about all the work on your plate, or social anxiety.

People with complicated life circumstances can also feel anxious about transitions.

Losing the sense of freedom

Monday follows after two days of freedom and enjoyment. Even busy weekends have plenty of moments to relax.

People find it psychologically challenging to switch back into obligations and routines that they have little say over. It may feel like a loss of independence and control.

Our poor work-life balance

People who spend almost all of their time working may experience negative feelings on Monday. It is the mind and body telling them to slow down or take a break.

Even if you love what you do, working hard all week without taking breaks can take a toll on your mind and body.