It’s Thursday night...you’re well over “hump day” and so close to the weekend you can taste it, but there’s one more workday to make it through. As much as you may love your job, by the end of the week, most of us are itching for a break. Here are our top seven tips to boost your mood on Fridays.
Read more: 17 Best Power Anthems for Working Women
1. Strike a power pose
It might sound cliche, but faking it until you make it really can work. The idea of “power posing” took the world by storm a few years ago when Harvard social psychologist Amy Cuddy gave the second-most-popular TED Talk in history on the subject. According to Cuddy, standing in a “power pose” for just two minutes a day can increase confidence and improve your ability to cope with stress. Start in front of a mirror with your hands on your hips, and breathe deeply as you look at yourself. Pretend you’re Wonder Woman! Think only about how capable you are, how productive this day is going to be, and the positive impact you are going to have on everyone around you. Try a mantra while you’re at it.
Read more: 13 Inspiring Women’s TED Talks to Add to Your Queue
2. Go for a Hot Girl Walk
Alternatively, if you’re a more active gal, consider a Hot Girl Walk, a phenomenon popularized by the social media platform TikTok. The name might sound silly, but just like power posing, it’s all about giving yourself a mental boost. Before work, (or whenever you have time) get your blood pumping with a brisk, four-mile mindfulness walk without headphones. According to its creators on TikTok, you can only think about three subjects on your Hot Girl Walk:
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The things you are grateful for
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How hot you are
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Goals you want to accomplish
By the time you finish up, your head will be in the right place for a great day.
3. Listen to a podcast
You probably already love a good podcast or two...from true crime to relationship advice to celebrity gossip shows, there are so many options. But why not listen to a podcast during your commute that inspires you before the workday? Harvard Business Review has six seasons of “Women at Work,” a podcast that explores issues that matter to modern working women. Episodes range from conversations about burnout to family management tips to remote working. If it feels overwhelming to listen to work-related podcasts every morning, don’t do it. Save the career-based shows for Fridays, or whenever you need a little extra inspiration.
4. Get super organized
Part of that Friday slump might be due to stress. Deadlines hit around the end of the week, presentations are due, and you’re stuck trying to balance your work life while scheduling your plans for the weekend. There are only so many hours in the day, so to make the most of your time, invest in a written planner. The Happiness Planner company produces paper planners to bridge the gap between work and personal development. The planners give you plenty of room to map out your day while also including pages dedicated to self-reflection and long-term goal setting. At the beginning of your day, take some time over a cup of coffee to thoughtfully plan your day, and check in with yourself to make sure you’re feeling up to the challenges ahead.
Read more: Why You Should Keep A Work Journal
5. Rise and shine...extra early
Speaking of coffee, you’re going to need some with this tip. Although getting up early is probably the last thing you want to do on days when you’re dreading work, rising just half an hour earlier than normal gives you time to slow down, destress, and create a calm morning as opposed to the usual chaos. Take the time to pamper yourself with a quick facial, or make a full breakfast instead of grabbing a granola bar as you hustle out the door.
Read more: The Power of YOUR Perfect Morning Routine
6. Meditate
Since you’re waking up earlier, you’ll probably have time to squeeze in a little meditation. Studies have repeatedly shown that meditation reduces stress, increases self awareness, and lengthens attention span. Just what you need to make it through Friday! The good news is that you don’t have to devote large amounts of time to meditating; you can meditate on a bus, while on your Hot Girl Walk, or whenever you have a spare minute. There are even guided meditation apps like Calm that walk you through the steps of meditation.
Read more: 3 Practical Ways to Relieve Stress
7. Pick something to look forward to
If all else fails, it may be time to bribe yourself. Seriously, if it works on children who throw fits over leaving the playground, it will probably work on you when you want to throw a fit over having to go to work. Pick something small to look forward to that you don’t usually do, and make taking care of yourself a priority. It might be stopping by the specialty bakery you’ve been dying to try after work, or maybe putting laundry on hold for an hour when you get home to watch your favorite show. Throughout the day, remember what you have to look forward to, and actually follow through with rewarding yourself. In order to give your best at work, you need to be emotionally fueling yourself by taking time to do things you enjoy.
When it’s all said and done, hyping yourself up for the week’s last workday isn’t an easy task, but it’s all about mindset. With a little organization, time for reflection, and inspiration, you’ll breeze straight through Friday and still feel energized for the weekend ahead.
Read more: I Learned How to Be Happy at Work
