Ease in (Picture: Getty Images)

It’s hard to believe we once agreed that changing your Facebook relationship status to “it’s complicated” was a good idea, but 2010 was a different time.

These days, it’s all about getting your boyfriend started on the soft side: a subtle revelation through an extra glass on a dinner table, or a mysterious caption that whispers, “I’m dating someone.”

That way there are less eyes on the relationship, less pressure to succeed.

But this approach doesn’t just apply to our romantic commitments — now let’s see how it can help you at work, too.

Since Covid sent all but frontline staff home, staff have become more accustomed to working from home.

But as the pandemic stretches back in time, employers are expecting more office time from their employees – from February to May 2022, the percentage of people working entirely from home dropped to just 14%.

And things are less good among working people, with high-profile examples of people who quit because of the return policy.

An Apple manager resigned when he was supposed to return to the office three days a week. He left a note writing: “I am convinced that more flexibility would have been the best policy for my team.”

It is feared that the improved work-life balance reported by 78% of hybrid workers and the improved well-being experienced by 74% will soon become a distant memory.

But this is where soft launch comes into play. It’s no secret that Monday mornings are tough – especially if you haven’t had to get up early on Mondays since pre-pandemic times.

But if you can start the first day in the home office gently, it will be easier to start the week. As with starting the relationship gently, there’s less pressure – a chance to slowly adjust to the next five days instead of storming through those office doors, all systems go.

Charlotte Davies, careers expert at LinkedIn, says: “Opting for a quiet start to the work week is becoming a popular way for some employees to achieve work-life balance. It is important to realize that this is often due to feelings of burnout and can be a symptom of being overwhelmed.

LinkedIn research in January found that one in five (23%) employees have been working overtime and as a result, many are suffering from burnout – a combined hangover from the stressful years of the pandemic, exacerbated by the current economic uncertainty .”

A smooth start can also make those dreaded weekend blues a lot easier.

“Burnout causes people to experience ‘Sunday anxiety’ and a cycle of stress and pressure that leaves many feeling discouraged at the start of the week and what it entails,” says Charlotte.

If you suffer from a burnout, talk to your employer about hybrid working and the possibility to start the week quietly.

Charlotte says: “It’s important to first look at how you can avoid these kinds of feelings by first talking to your manager about your workload and taking steps to balance your work week.

“From making realistic to-do lists to setting boundaries to taking regular breaks, there are many ways to take back control and face the week ahead with confidence.”



How to make Mondays feel less stressful

  1. plan ahead. Taking the time to think about your week ahead as a whole and create a day-to-day plan will help you feel more in control. It reminds you of the bigger picture and allows you to break things down into more manageable tasks. This can make you much more productive and reduces the risk of getting overwhelmed.
  2. Create realistic to-do lists. When planning your to-do list, consider all the factors that affect the time you have to get things done – from meetings to answering emails – and adjust things accordingly to ensure they are be realistic and achievable. Don’t forget to build time slots into your schedule for completing each action – this will help you meet the expectations of yourself and your colleagues.
  3. Check boundaries and take your time. Make sure you have healthy parameters to protect your time. During the workday, take a lunch break and switch off well. Set do not disturb for work apps after hours and limit notifications and email access. Communicate these limits with your colleagues. For example, include your working hours in your email signature so they’re expected to know when they will (and won’t) get a reply.
  4. Outside of work is just as important. Break up the week by planning activities that you enjoy, but make sure you don’t overdo it and fill your calendar completely. Take time for yourself and leave “white spots” so that you don’t constantly run from one thing to another. The LinkedIn Headspace Guide to Everyday Stress is a great course for learning how to use mindfulness on the go to manage stress when you need to take a step back from the day. The course is free on the LinkedIn Learning platform until April 15.
  5. Talk to your boss about flexible working hours. Do your research first and be prepared to present your best case and show how it can benefit you and your employer. Research from LinkedIn shows that cramming hours into a typical work week can increase productivity in the workplace, as more than a quarter (26%) of employees believe fewer hours in a work week would motivate them to get more done at one day*. It’s about finding a balance between your needs and those of your business.