At Your Desk Blues Busters
Monday, April 20, 2009 at 10:13PM After a wonderful weekend of travel, fun, and fitness I found myself disgruntled as I started a new week. Hmmm...what’s that about? I have a life I love, which includes rewarding work and I was happy to get up and get moving this morning. But once I was sitting at my computer, I felt restless and irritated. How could I shake myself out of my Monday morning blues? I did five simple things that probably took less than five minutes and found my spirits lifting and my motivation returning.
- Hot tea – Even though spring is here and the temperatures are starting to rise, hot tea comforts me. I filled my favorite mug with some fragrant green tea and my heart got a bit lighter.
- Stretch – While the microwave ticked off the two minutes to heat my tea water, I didn’t go back to my desk to check email. I paid attention to my body. I discovered a little crick in my neck. For the remaining 90 seconds on the microwave, I stretched my neck. Aaahhhh, that felt good.
- Music – I’ve recently discovered Pandora Radio (www.pandora.com) and I love it. I picked one of my very favorite stations and let the music flow over me and let my mind and eyes wander.
- Photos – I have several photos on my desk highlighting favorite people and places. Often I don’t even notice them. Today, while I sipped my tea and enjoyed Luka Bloom’s music, I went to the beach with my sister, apple picking with my mom and dad, and to a wedding reception with my husband—all in my mind, of course.
- Breathe – As I finished my photo journey, I took a couple of deep breaths and felt contentment creeping back into my heart. Intentional breathing is soothing and refreshing, and no one even has to know you’re doing it.
I could have spent the entire morning being grumpy or trying to figure out why I felt blue. Instead I invested five minutes in simple pampering and I came out on the other side feeling more like myself and happy to get down to business. What do you do to lift yourself out of the blues? Click on "Comment" below and share your Blues Busters.
Reader Comments (7)
Mary, I could have definitely used these five tips yesterday as I was suffering from a bad case of the "Mondays"...I am definitely going to do this the next time I experience the "At My Desk Blues!" Thank you!
Thanks for the insightful tips Mary! It's always nice to take a step back to relax, and re-center yourself. I like to go for hot chocolate, a sweet and warm drink that is a great pick-me-up on a Monday. :)
I'm not so good with beating those desk blues. With my new schedule, I get them Tuesday afternoon. From Monday am until after lunch Tuesday, I'm too busy to get them. I'm going to try your suggestions and adjust them for me for next Tuesday. We'll see. Thanks!
Hey Mary!
Monday's do that to me, too...I have a couple of things...besides a nice hot cup of green tea. I walk away from wherever I am (you did that, too), and find something to focus on that makes me smile, e.g.like a squirrel outside my window chasing a chipmunk...then my second thing is to sit in my rocker and close my eyes and just rock for a minute or two....must be that I was rocked as a child! Love your ideas, too...I'll try them next "Blue Monday"!
Mary...
What if my employer has a policy banning my favorite beverage..?
I love your blog. I did not know about Pandora radio. I am now listening to James Taylor and singing along. Although I would never make it in the music world, I love to sing and it always lifts my spirits. Thanks Mary
Hi Paulie,
Your comment made me think about the times I would have enjoyed a G&T during a rough day at the office :) and settling for green tea just wouldn't do the trick. I guess that's when I take a lot of deep breaths...oohhmmmm....