Oh, Monday. That day. There have been plenty of songs written about this dreaded start to the week; there's even scientific evidence to prove that it's not just in your head. But there are different ways to approach the day that can start your week with a whole new flavor.

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Use your home. Putting together a morning routine and an evening routine can go a long way towards keeping you from being overwhelmed, and a landing strip is a big part of that. Don't think of it as just a place to put things when you come in, but also as a launch pad — a place to put things that you need to take with you the next day, from library books to dry cleaning slips to your keys.

Rethink it. After a lovely, lazy, languorous Sunday, Monday always seems to sneak up on me. Two hours into the day and I can find myself already behind on my deadlines, exhausted, snappy. Just barrel through the to-do list, I'll tell myself. Starting off this way colors the whole week. Rather than jumping straight into my to-do list, I've begun to start the week by shutting the metaphorical door to my office (turning off my email, putting my phone on silent) and spending an hour mapping out what I hope to accomplish for the week. More than just a to-do list, it's an action plan that lets me approach the week effectively and helps me prioritize emails, phone calls and other crises that arise by asking the simple question: will they forward my goals for the week? If the answer is no, they go on the back burner. When I make myself start the week this way, I find that Mondays are much calmer, and I get more accomplished during the week.

Take time to do something nice for yourself. Most of us cram the good things into the weekend with a little spillage into Friday. This leaves Monday barren and grey. Instead, stick something improbable into your day. Buy flowers for your desk, schedule a nice lunch out at a new place, sneak in a movie at lunch. By giving the day a new, fun spin, it'll become a day to look forward to as much as Friday (well, almost).

Start your Monday on Sunday. What do you have planned for Monday? By taking a look at your schedule the night before, you can put a lot less stress on the next day. Plan your outfit and get together the things you need for the next day, have a nice dinner and pack up the leftovers for lunch, take a bath, meditate, get into bed early and read. (A clean bedroom makes this a lot more inviting!) Then wake up refreshed and ready to start the week.

(Image: Leela Cyd Ross/Laura's Patchwork Style Apartment)