Do “Bare Minimum Mondays” Make You More Productive?

Here’s what books on productivity won’t tell you: doing the bare minimum can be a good thing – especially on Mondays. As an antidote to hustle culture and burnout, the practice involves slowing down and allowing yourself to settle into the week. While productivity experts will tell you to tackle your biggest tasks first, this strategy recommends the opposite. Among its many purported benefits include balance, well-being, and increased productivity. But does it work?

“Bare minimum Mondays” refers to the practice of doing less on the first day of the week. Many mistake the concept for “slacking off,” but it’s more of being smart about which tasks you devote attention to. If there’s nothing urgent on your plate, doing the bare minimum can mean simply attending meetings and clearing administrative work.

The term itself was coined by TikTok content creator Maris Mayes, whose original concept involved choosing self-care over productivity on Mondays. Naturally, the Gen Z term grew big enough to have a life of its own, and eventually, people attached their own meaning to it.

That’s the whole point: how you do “bare minimum Mondays” is up to you. It frees you from the trappings of false urgency and performative productivity. In a way, it’s also quite sad. Choosing to work in a way that’s healthy for you is the bare minimum of workplace well-being, yet here we are packaging it as a snazzy TikTok trend just to have people take notice.

It’s an attractive prospect for many office workers, but naturally, employers are wary of its possible effects. In a survey on the subject, 59.07% of 10,000 respondents were aware of the concept, and 45% were in favor of the trend. Twenty-five percent did not like the idea, claiming it made them anxious, confused, and frustrated.

Worrying about how the trend affects productivity is a natural response. Any responsible employee would take it with a grain of salt. Thankfully, the trend is backed by facts. So, how does slowing down help you get more work done?

According to a 2022 study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, burnout is an increasingly rampant phenomenon that develops with chronic work stress. It affects work on all levels, from employees getting sick to displaying a negative attitude toward one’s job. The study notes this is not a personal problem but a “consequence of certain characteristics of the work activity.”

In an ideal situation, the company would make systemic changes for better work conditions. Sadly, the burden of adjusting usually falls on the individual. The same study cites the concept of “job crafting” as a preventive measure against burnout. It involves actively reconfiguring how you approach your tasks to suit your skills, preferences, and needs – exactly what “bare minimum Mondays” is about.

More research claims doing this prevents burnout and eventually increases productivity. By slowing down and being more intentional about work, you give your mind your space to wander, boosting creativity and problem-solving skills. 

A “slow” workday (on purpose) also lets you do background tasks often left by the wayside but are crucial to giving you order and structure. These include planning your schedule, answering emails, filling out forms, and other non-urgent but important items on your to-do list.

Not all workers are built to power through in times of stress, and that’s okay. If you’re showing signs of burnout, consider adjusting your working habits to see what works for you. You don’t necessarily have to subscribe to “bare minimum Mondays,” but it could be a good jump-off point.

In the process, why not move self-care up higher on your priority list? Nothing as extreme as going on a vacation next Wednesday. Start with something simple, like adding mindfulness to your routines. For example, use products that produce sensory delight. Try washing your face with Dove Facial Cleansing Mousse Moisture Care – a fluffy, bouncy formula that lifts dirt while giving you a plush cleansing experience.

For your hair, indulge in a deep-cleansing product like Sunsilk Anti-Dandruff Healthy Strong Shampoo. Finally, treat yourself to a mini massage (and a dewy glow!) with Vaseline Gluta-Hya Serum Burst Dewy Radiance.

Doing the bare minimum is nothing to be ashamed of, especially if it makes you feel happier and more productive. It shows that you love your job, but you love yourself, too. Just don’t do it every day of the week or you’ll give an entire generation a bad name.