Start Your Week Right: The 9 Sunday habits successful people swear by

Sarah Khan 25 Sep 2017

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1. Take an hour to get organized
Spending an hour with your diary or planner app on your smartphone may not be how you envisioned spending your lazy Sunday, but trust us - it'll pay off. All you need is just an hour off your Sunday to plan for the week ahead. Check your schedule of events lined up and make a to-do list of tasks you're expecting to clear first thing Monday morning. Getting organised will really set you in the right direction for the week ahead as it frees up your head space and reduces any work-related anxiety.
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2. Eat a healthy Sunday feast
Leave your sinful feasting for Fridays and Saturdays, because tucking into an indulgent Sunday brunch or dinner can leave you worse for wear on Monday. According to dietitians, consuming heavy food and alcohol on a Sunday can put you in a lethargic food coma come Monday morning, which starts you off on a poor note for the coming work week.

Instead, plan for three balanced, scrumptious meals on Sundays. Ensure each meal contains lean protein and complex carbs and plenty of high-fiber fruits and vegetables to provide you with steady energy, helps in digestion and also satiates you better. As alcohol is dehydrating, skip on the tipples (which can make you sluggish) and opt for glasses of water instead.
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3. Focus on the positives
Unfortunately, there are a few things that can get you in the habit of dreading the start of the work week - it could be the excruciatingly long commute or that less-than-pleasant co-worker. Rather than focusing on the negatives however, focus on the positive things you can look forward to once you get back in the office. It could be starting on that new project you're anticipating or catching up with your close colleagues on all the weekend goss'.

If the issue is that you're losing motivation at work in general these days, spend some time on Sunday reflecting on how you can better enjoy your work. Recall the earlier days in your stint when you used to get inspired at work and what it took you since to get to where you are in your career. Reflect on what has changed since and what you can do to recapture that feeling again.
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4. Schedule in quality sleep
Frankly, a good night's rest is one of the best ways to put yourself in a great footing come Monday. You'll find you can handle stress better, feel more optimistic and energized and ready to conquer the start of the week and all your tasks.

In order to achieve the shuteye you need, opt for healthy, lighter meals instead and finish your last meal at least two-and-a-half hours before your desired sleeping time. Alternatively, sleep specialists also recommend engaging in physical exercise to improve your sleep quality, so be sure to schedule in at least 20 minutes of any physical activity on your Sundays!
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5. Plan your outfits for the week
A frazzled, "What do I wear?" wardrobe situation can truly start your day off on a wrong note. To avoid the unnecessarily long morning session in front of your closet racking your brains for what to wear, take the time on Sunday to decide what you're going to wear every day of the work week. Consult your schedule for the week for your various work or personal appointments and pick your outfits accordingly. Also ensure that all your chosen ensemble are clean and ironed, and that there are no holes, loose threads or missing buttons that need sorting out.

If you have a designated area in your closet for your selection of weekly outfits, great! Alternatively you could also install a few wall-mounted racks.
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6. Enjoy an hour of me-time
We get it; as a working mom, having an hour alone is truly such a luxury. However, taking the time to have your hour (or more) of me-time to recharge and practice some self-care can truly make all the difference in how you approach the new work week. You can opt for a long, warm bath with your favourite music playing, going for a walk, writing in your journal or starting on a new novel - the options are endless, as long as it is something you genuinely enjoy.
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7. Reflect on the past week and your goals
Reviewing the past week is a key aspect of many productivity techniques. Ask yourself how your week went, what you achieved, what you did right and where you could've done things better. Beyond just assessing the work week, it is also essential to make it a weekly habit on Sundays to take a step back and reflect on how on-track you are to achieving your goals.
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8. Engage in some old school fun
Experts hugely support hobbies and activities that stimulate creative thinking, such as board or card games and fun sports and activities. These activities not only improves your creativity, but also helps clear your mind and boosts confidence, interestingly enough! If you're looking to start Monday morning feeling fresh and motivated, these are the very qualities you want primed. Our favourite card game for the weekend that will guarantee a bout of laughs and lots of fun would be Cards of Humanity. Never tried it? Give it a go!
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9. Make it meaningful
Spending your Sunday in a meaningful way can set you on a great tone for the new work week. Volunteer or go for a yoga class - aligning yourself to activities that bring you closer to your personal goals over the weekend helps you feel more focused as you start off the new week.

Start getting into the habit of a productive Sunday routine! You’ll thank us later.

Here’s a saying we’re rather fond of: “A Sunday well-spent brings a week of content.”

Interpret it however way you like, but spending a Sunday productively can truly make such a difference in how you start off the new week. Whether it’s spending quality time with your loved ones or taking the time to organise your schedule for the coming week, there is something about taking the time to create positive Sunday habits that can truly make all the difference to how you start off the new week.

As it turns out, this holds true for successful people as well, who swear by a productive Sunday routine to get themselves into gear for the new week. Now, we’re talking adopting just a few key smart habits to set yourself up for a brighter work week without really compromising on those precious Sunday lounge hours. Trust us when we say it’ll make all the difference – browse these habits in the gallery above!

Sarah Khan

Photos: Getty Images

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