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     Volume 4 Issue 68 | October 21, 2005 |


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Life Style

8 Mood Boosters for Sunday Mornings

Whether you're a career woman, a stay-at-home mom or a busy dad, you no doubt look forward to the weekend as a mini vacation away from the daily grind. You might even get a chance to have a grown-ups-only dinner on Thursday night! No matter what your weekend holds, it always seems that Sunday morning arrives too quickly, and getting motivated for the week is harder than ever before. These eight simple strategies will help you wake up energised, instead of miserable.

1. Start your to-do list Saturday night. Instead of starting the week feeling overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do, get a jump-start by accomplishing a few tasks the night before, such as replying to a handful of e-mails, preparing a meeting agenda, or making your grocery list. Using Saturday evening to get oriented and organised will help you feel in control all week long.

2. Plan a low-key activity for Saturday night. If you're the type of person who dreads Saturday night as much as Sunday morning, then starting your to-do list early is probably the wrong move for you. Instead, plan a relaxing activity to extend the weekend and take your mind off tomorrow's woes. A family game, a movie with your spouse, or even an early dinner at home with friends may be just the special treat you need. Saturday is still the weekend, after all!

3. Clean your desk on Thursday afternoon. The last few hours of the Thursday workday are frequently unproductive. Take advantage of that down-time to straighten up your space. Put priority items in a neat pile. File away and throw away as much as possible. Update your to-do list. Check your calendar for Sunday and get out the items you'll need now. Your clean workspace will feel refreshing come Sunday morning, and you'll be able to focus and get to work quickly.

Healthy Strategies
4. Start the day with exercise. Whether it's 100 jumping jacks in your living room or a 30-minute jog in the park, exercise is a sure way to beat the Sunday blues. Studies have shown that exercise leads to the production of serotonin, one of the chemicals in your brain that prevents depression. In addition to heart-healthy benefits, 30-minutes of cardio is just enough to open those sweat pores, so your skin will have a healthy glow, too. How blue can you really feel if your skin is glowing?

5. Eat a healthy breakfast. Wolfing down a doughnut, or worse, having no breakfast at all, will leave you feeling cranky and sluggish. A nutritious meal, such as a vegetable omelette, oatmeal with raisins, fruits with cheese, or a protein-enriched fruit smoothie will help you stay energised all morning long.

All the Right Stuff
6. Wear the right clothes. Make a point to wear your favourite outfit on Sundays. Wearing something that makes you feel attractive and comfortable will do wonders for your mood, no matter what day of the week it is. For a little daring flair, women can accessorise an old standby with a scarf, funky pair of earrings, or unique necklace. Pick out your outfit the night before to make sure it's wrinkle- and stain-free and you'll save time (and agony) during your morning rush.

7. Make a lunch or dinner date. Knowing you're meeting a friend later in the day will help you feel more excited in the morning. If money is an issue, bring a bag lunch and meet in a public space or even in your office. Consider scheduling a get-together every Sunday. If you don't have time for lunch, take a 3 p.m. coffee break with a co-worker for a quick fix.

8. Make green tea your afternoon snack. There's something about the ritual of drinking a warm cup of tea that's soothing all by itself. Studies have shown that green tea is loaded with the antioxidants that can help prevent cancer and other health conditions. But if green tea doesn't do it for you, select any herbal tea that makes you happy. Peppermint, lemon -- as long as it doesn't have caffeine, you're in for a relaxing treat on what, by now, should be your favourite day of the week.

Source: MSN.com

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