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This Issue
1. 2.
Compassion Meets Precision in Dr. Ricker’s Chair
From Thankful Jars to Turkey Trivia
Our Patients Say It Best
3.
Your Smile Deserves More Than a Temporary Fix
Turkey and Sweet Potato Mash for Dogs
4.
Blame Science: Your Brain Isn’t Built for Mondays
The Monday Slump Is Real …
And It’s Biological
If you wake up on Monday feeling like you got hit by a truck, you’re not alone and certainly not imagining it. The “Monday scaries” are more than a funny meme; they’re rooted in biology. Two days of relaxed routines, late wake-ups, and maybe a little indulgence throw off your internal body clock. That weekend shift in your sleep schedule can feel like jet lag come Monday morning, making it harder to wake up, focus, or function at full capacity. STRESS HORMONES SPIKE ON MONDAYS. Adding fuel to the fire, your body naturally produces more cortisol, the primary stress hormone, early in the day to help you wake up and move. However, research shows cortisol levels are often higher on Monday mornings. You’re not just waking up; you’re mentally bracing for everything the week is about to throw at you: meetings, deadlines, commutes, and inboxes stacked like Jenga towers. Your brain senses a threat, even if it’s just a packed calendar. WEEKEND WHIPLASH WRECKS YOUR MOMENTUM. The weekend is a break from responsibility. You can lounge, laugh, socialize, and embrace your most authentic self. Then
Monday shows up and demands a complete 180. That stark contrast of freedom from structure creates mental whiplash. You have to shift gears without a warm-up lap, and your brain rebels. It’s not that Mondays are objectively worse; they just highlight how much better weekends feel. MISERABLE MONDAYS IS A MYTH. Surprisingly, research suggests people don’t report being significantly unhappier on Mondays than on other weekdays. The problem isn’t Monday itself. It’s our perception of it. We idealize the weekend and villainize Monday, giving it a bad rap it might not fully deserve. The dread is often psychological, built on expectations rather than experience. HOW TO MAKE MONDAYS BETTER. There’s no magic wand, but there are strategies. Try keeping your weekend wake-up time close to your weekday time to minimize sleep disruption. Wrap up your workweek with a to-do list for Monday so you’re not walking in blind, and schedule something you enjoy for Monday: a fancy coffee, a midday walk, or a catch-up call with a friend. A small pleasure can take the sting out of a stressful start.
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