Combat Burnout with Bare Minimum Mondays

Before we know it, it'll be that time of the week again—time to face the start of the workweek and all the stress that comes with it. But what if we told you that there's a way to make Mondays less overwhelming and mitigate burnout? Enter: Bare Minimum Mondays.

Bare Minimum Mondays is a concept that has been gaining popularity on TikTok, thanks to content creator Maris Mayes. The idea is simple: do the bare minimum on Mondays, focusing on self-care over productivity. As Mayes puts it, "Doing the bare minimum brought back my functioning." And she's not alone—this practice has been life-changing for many people, with the hashtag #bareminimummondays garnering over two million views on TikTok. The concept of Bare Minimum Mondays is about prioritizing yourself as a person over an employee. It's about being more intentional with your time and setting boundaries. Yes, some people might argue that this encourages slacking, but that's not the point. It's not about checking out of work or missing deadlines—it's about doing the least possible amount and focusing on your mental health. As Mayes says, "I'm actually getting more done, and I'm happier overall."

If you're still not convinced, consider this: burnout decreases your productivity and quality of work. Rejecting hustle culture and realizing the importance of work-life balance has led to the exploration of different work schedule structures, like the recent four-day workweek trial in the UK. The trial involved 2,900 employees and 61 companies, and over 70% of employees reported reduced levels of burnout and improved overall mental and physical health. And the companies? They reported a small increase in revenue, but the significant improvement in employee wellbeing and retention led most of them to continue the new work schedule after the trial ended.

Of course, Bare Minimum Mondays won't be a good strategy for everyone. But just like we don't take a one-size-fits-all approach to any other areas of life, work-life balance shouldn't be any different. And remember, "minimum" literally means the least possible amount. So go ahead, try out Bare Minimum Mondays and see if it helps with your burnout! Or, if you have other strategies that work better for you, tailor them to your individual needs. It's time to prioritize our mental health and well-being in the workplace.