Scene:
It’s Monday morning. Surabhi and Lekshmi, both colleagues and friends, are sipping coffee in their office pantry, trying to shake off the sluggish start to the week.

Surabhi (yawning):
“Lekshmi, tell me honestly… do you ever wake up on Monday and just want to disappear? I couldn’t drag myself out of bed today.”

Lekshmi (laughs):
“Welcome to the club! Monday morning blues are real, Surabhi. You’re not alone.”

Surabhi:
“I swear, weekends feel so good—sleeping in, binge-watching shows, catching up with friends. But Monday feels like punishment. Is there a science behind this or is it just in my head?”

Lekshmi:
“Oh, there’s definitely science behind it. I read about it recently on nellikka.life. Apparently, it’s called ‘social jetlag.’ We mess up our internal body clock on weekends by staying up late and sleeping in. Come Monday, our brain resists returning to the usual routine.”

Surabhi:
“Social jetlag? That sounds so accurate. No wonder I feel jetlagged without travelling anywhere.”

Lekshmi (smiling):
“Exactly! And there’s more to it. You know that anxious feeling on Sunday evenings? Thinking about work, deadlines, all the stress? That’s anticipatory anxiety. It builds up, making Monday mornings feel even heavier.”

Surabhi:
“That makes sense. It’s like my brain dreads Monday before it even arrives.”

Lekshmi:
“And don’t forget the dopamine factor. Weekends are packed with activities we love—family time, hobbies, naps. Those things boost dopamine—the ‘feel-good’ chemical. But Monday snatches that away.”

Surabhi:
“So basically, our brain throws a tantrum when it doesn’t get its dopamine fix?”

Lekshmi (laughs):
“Pretty much! Also, if you build up sleep debt during the week and oversleep on weekends, it disrupts your circadian rhythm. That makes Mondays even harder.”

Surabhi:
“Okay, I get the problem. But how do I fix it? Mondays aren’t going away.”

Lekshmi:
“There are simple tricks. First, try keeping your sleep schedule consistent—even on weekends. I started doing that and it really helps.”

Surabhi:
“Easier said than done, but I’ll try. What else?”

Lekshmi:
“Plan something nice for Monday—a coffee date, your favourite breakfast, listening to a podcast. It gives your brain a little dopamine boost to look forward to.”

Surabhi:
“Hmm… coffee with you sounds like a good Monday plan.”

Lekshmi:
“See! Small things matter. Also, get some sunlight and move your body. Even a short morning walk boosts mood chemicals like serotonin.”

Surabhi:
“And preparing for Monday in advance helps too, right? Outfits, meals, to-do lists?”

Lekshmi:
“Absolutely! Reduces morning chaos and decision fatigue. Plus, try a quick mindfulness exercise—breathing or meditation. Keeps anxiety in check.”

Surabhi (smiling):
“Wow, I always thought Monday blues were unavoidable. But with these small changes, it sounds manageable.”

Lekshmi:
“It is! Mondays can be a fresh start, not a disaster. The trick is to outsmart your body and mind.”

Surabhi:
“Thanks, Lekshmi. You and nellikka.life just saved my Mondays.”

Lekshmi:
“You’re welcome! And hey, nellikka.life has more tips on health, wellness, and lifestyle. We’ve got to stay ahead!”

Feeling the Monday blues? You’re not alone, but you’re also not helpless. Take charge of your routine and make your Mondays work for you.

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