Never Miss a Monday

Here we are again starting a new week in a new kind of lifestyle. Hopefully you have started cooking nutritiously, exercising in some fresh air and tackling some back burner projects. Things look very different now and there can be some positives to change, but structure and routine are just as important.

Let’s focus now on the start of the week, specifically Mondays. Prior to staying at home and social distancing, how did you feel about Mondays? Did you look forward to starting the week or dread it? Did you feel ready to charge forward or overwhelmed with all that was to come? Feel free to take a moment and reflect on this. Now, think about present day. How were you feeling about Monday approaching, over the weekend, and how did you feel this morning? For some, this is a start of going into work or working remotely in unchartered territories. For others, this may seem like a summer day. The kids remain at home and one day blends into the next.

Keeping routine and adding structure to your day can really keep you organized and sane, for that matter. Even if Mondays do not look very different than other days, still treat it as a new beginning. One of my favorite mantras is, “Never Miss a Monday.” This relates to my exercise routine. There is something about starting the week with a good workout that serves as a springboard for a great rest of the week. For one, it helps dispel the guilt you might feel from having a weekend of going off the rails. It also provides encouragement to get back in the saddle. A Monday workout makes you feel ahead of the game and if it’s in the morning, ahead of the day.

What can you do for a Monday workout that will not only burn calories, relieve stress and energize you, but also inspire and encourage you physically, mentally and emotionally? You know how I love a sunrise walk, so of course, I would highly recommend this but any time of day will work. There is no one right way. Exercising after work may be better for your schedule and your stress relief. Great! Taking a bike ride before you start your new career as a home school teacher may help you keep your patience as you work with your kiddos. Perfect! A midday workout could also help bypass the afternoon slump so many of us face. Fantastic!

No matter what the exercise or what time of day, just make Monday a priority for working out. Find at least 20 minutes in your day when you can move your body and see how this lifts your mood, clears your head and perhaps motivates you to move more. When you feel those endorphins rising, take a moment and schedule your workouts for the rest of the week. Treat them as an appointment and commit. In these stressful times, taking care of you is critical. Here’s to your health and good luck with the week.