7 Cures for a Case of the Mondays

Use these tricks to set a better tone for the rest of the week.

1. Don't hit snooze. 
As tempting as it may be, trying to snag a few more minutes of sleep can be harmful. A 10-minute snooze sesh can launch you into another sleep cycle and, when you finally get up, you may experience sleep inertia -- a period of morning grogginess before you're fully awake. These little bouts of fragmented sleep can actually make you more tired during the day. Resist the urge.

2. Stop and smell the flowers. 

Not a morning person? Flowers might help. In a recent Harvard study, participants reported that they felt happier and more energized after looking at flowers first thing in the morning. Try styling your bedside table with a bouquet of your favorite blooms -- spring is the perfect time to start!

3. Make your bed. 
This simple, two-minute task can actually help you feel more calm and disciplined all day long. Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, is a big proponent of it: "Something like a made bed makes a room seem more organized, more serene. And the fact that you've kept a commitment to yourself makes you feel a greater sense of self-command, which is very important for happiness."

4. Dress to change your mood. 

Adding color to your wardrobe is an easy and fun way to get you motivated for the day. Research has shown that certain colors can actually alter your state of mind. Need more energy to get you to 5 p.m.? Consider something red or violet. Feeling down? Green or yellow can perk you up.

5. Eat a well-balanced breakfast. 
Turns out that mom was right -- breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Those who eat breakfast have shown better short-term memory and cognitive performance.

6. Turn up your favorite tunes. 

Whether you're into Beethoven's symphonies or Beyoncé's latest album, your favorite music can help boost your mood. While listening to music you love, studies have shown that dopamine (the chemical associated with the body's reward system) is released in the brain.

7. Just walk away. 
If you've got a mental block, simply do something else. Answer some emails, chat with a co-worker, or take a lap around the office. Research has shown that taking a break can help you focus better to tackle your task.

Originally shared to: Good House Keeping