9 Monday Motivation Tips to Supercharge Your Week

A cup of coffee or a mug of matcha can be just the thing to kick-start a productive day — but only in moderation. Your three-cup-a-day caffeine habit can actually contribute to more stress and worse sleep, making Monday mornings harder than they need to be.

"A little caffeine can be helpful, but try not to go overboard, especially early in the morning, as this could lead to a crash mid-afternoon," says Sassos.

There's nothing worse than a bleary-eyed Monday morning where all you want to do is roll back into bed. A full 7-9 hours of sleep will help you wake feeling refreshed and ready to take on your week, instead of wanting to hide under the covers.

"A great week starts with a good night’s sleep. Try your best to go to bed at a decent time on Sunday night so you can start the week feeling well-rested and energized," says Sassos.

RELATED: Things Professional Organizers Do Every Day to Be More Productive

Make self-care a part of your Monday routine. You’ll stop dreading the beginning of the week so much, because you’ll associate it with a reward for your hard work. A Monday self-care ritual can look like a quiet mid-morning coffee break, a workout class, watching a special TV show at night, or making a point to put the phone down and do a hands-on activity after work.

"Your body is designed to move, so beginning your week with some form of movement, even just 5-10 minutes of stretching or walking in the morning, can help prime your body and clear your mind," Sassos advises.

If you feel stuck during the work day, a quick movement break can help shake it off. The rush of exercise endorphins will get you to your desk feeling ready to work.

RELATED: A Complete Guide to Yoga for Beginners

When you're running late, it can be tempting to skip the breakfast or just grab a granola bar. But fueling up the right way is important to having a productive and motivated day—and that includes hydrating as well as eating a balanced meal.

"Something as simple as starting your day with a glass of water and a healthy breakfast instead of grabbing fast food can be a small, early win that ignites a ripple effect of healthy habits for the week," Sassos says.

Your inbox will need tending after a weekend away, but you shouldn't be checking it the moment you open your eyes. "Your brain just woke up, and throwing it into the digital chaos of doomscrolling first thing isn’t the smartest move," Sassos says.

Instead, take some time to get ready in the morning without the social media scroll or the frantic email refreshing. When you do tackle your inbox, you'll feel much more prepared and less drained.

There may be a million things you need to get done this week, but they don't all need to happen right away. "It’s important to keep your expectations realistic. Don’t bite off more than you can chew, especially on a Monday," says Sassos.

Spend 5 minutes goal setting by writing down a short list of achievable goals for the day. "Instead of overcommitting yourself and overloading your to-do list, try to set 2-3 practical goals for the day ahead," Sassos advises. Having a clear and attainable to-do list will help fight distraction and procrastination.

RELATED: 11 Secrets From Super Organized People on How to Make Mondays More Productive

The secret to a good Monday actually starts over the weekend. Do a Sunday reset to clean and organize your home for the week ahead. Make sure to remove any potential obstacles to keep your Monday morning as frictionless as possible. On Monday, when you sit down at an already clean desk with a meal-prepped breakfast, you'll feel the difference.

"Even small steps like putting out your workout clothes the night before, or filling up your water bottle and placing it at your bedside so it’s with you at the start of the morning can make a difference," says Sassos.

We get it — work isn't always fun. When signing on for the day feels especially like a battle, take a couple of minutes to practice gratitude. It helps you focus on the bigger picture of your life outside of your work, like your family, friends, and home.

Focusing on what you appreciate and why can make it easier to work through your responsibilities for the day. It can also remind you of why you work in the first place, whether that's to be able to support yourself or your loved ones or to make a difference with your skills.