Monday Blues – Why we all hate Mondays

Imagine all the things that could possibly go wrong on a Monday in Lagos? This was my Monday… traffic, getting stopped by VIO (vehicle inpsection officers), having to use a keke to work and dare I say…arriving one hour late.  For many, Monday is perceived as the day to plan out your week or perhaps a fresh start to accomplishing goals but one thing about the day is certain, few actually look forward to Mondays. I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one who uses Sunday to reflect on where my weekend vanished to. It’s not just about mourning the end of the weekend, or the overwhelming thought of going through a whole week at work, surely there must be a deeper, justified meaning behind this global utter hatred we all have for Mondays.

Believe it or not, there are historical and cultural references associated with the day. In 2002, the PricewaterhouseCoopers company changed their name to Monday in an effort to revive the company, according by BBC.  It was reported that, “PwC spoke of its hopes that the fledgling business consultancy would embody all that was fresh and bright about its namesake, the first day of the week.” Unsurprisingly, “Monday” didn’t last long. They soon reverted back to PWC.

Ever heard of Blue Monday?  A name given to a day in January, usually the third Monday in the month, which is claimed to be the most depressing day of the year. According to The Guardian UK, “Monday is the most common day for suicide”.  Researchers explain the idea of Mondays being a transition from the weekend to work, with direct emphasis on “the effect of new beginnings” rather than the dislike of going to work. Essentially you might love your job, but still manage to despise everything about Mondays. This happens to be the case for the famous cat Garfield. The 1987 comic strip, created by Jim Davis depicts the life of an orange cat that is known for his love for lasagne and his strong disdain for Mondays. In Huffington Post, Davis explains, “Garfield does not have a job, Garfield does not go to school and every day is the same. Nevertheless every Monday is just a reminder that his life is the same old, same old cycling again”. Mondays almost serve as a constant reminder of the cycle of life, registering this day as the start of the never-ending capitalist ordeal.

Furthermore, science always comes in handy when it comes to matters of our health and well-being. Scientific researchers have compiled a few logical reasons as to why we hate Mondays so much. Research shows that our sleep pattern changes during the weekend. As Monday to Friday generally provides a somewhat stable routine, when the weekend comes along; our body clock gets slightly confused.  According to the Australasian Sleep Association although we attempt to catch up on the sleep we lost during the week, we often end up tired or needing more sleep on Mondays.

Besides the sleeping patterns, Monday is a drastic change from Sunday therefore there’s a sudden shift in emotions and a much higher blood pressure rate than the other days of the week.  In fact, we are more likely to encounter a stroke and more prone to getting sick on Mondays. Although Monday is not routinely different to Tuesday or Thursday, it will always be the most depressing because we subconsciously compare it to our restful weekend. In short, Mondays will always have a bad rep, the best thing to do is take a deep breath and brace yourself for the week’s journey ahead.