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[Spinner]

I have been told that Monday is the most stressful day of the week for people. Many feel overwhelmed on Monday because they are returning to work from the weekend.  They will be busy responding to calls and emails that were sent over the weekend and any projects that were put to the side.  Does anyone think this is true? If so why?  What tips do you have for those who are retuning to work on Monday?

[Drake]

I agree that Monday is one of the most stressful days of the work week.  For me, the stress on Monday comes as a result of knowing there is so much to do during rest of the week.  Monday symbolizes new work projects, scheduled meetings, and trying to play catch-up with work not completed the previous week. The best solution is to try and keep on top of work during the weekend, but not many people I know want to do it. 

[Lisette]

When I was doing a corporate role I think probably Friday since I was trying to get everything done in order to be able to leave at a reasonable time.  Now that I run a couple of businesses I find that I work pretty most weekends so find Friday's less stressful and actually see them as an end of week milestone to be looked forward to. 

[MaryG]

Mondays make sense, but I also find that Friday can be really stressful, too. It seems like I'm trying to wrap up all my current projects before the weekend hits or take care of things that I won't be able to deal with for a few more days. I hate leaving things hanging unless I have to, so it can stress me over the weekend if I don't take care of them last minute.

[Robin Tetley]

I don't think I'm stressed by a day of the week more with what I'm doing. Often I find 3pm stressful because I know what I want to get done with my day and sometimes things take longer than they should. I then feel like I want to get lots done in a short period of time and that can cause a bit of stress.

In past jobs I've done the first day of the working week was the most stressful because it's all ahead of you. Thankfully that's not the case in my current role ).

[Bob]

For me the most miserable is the first day of the week and the most stressful the second.

From Wednesday onwards you get to the right side of the mountain top.

[Timber]

Yes, I agree with Robin, the first day of the week can be stressful.  Usually it's because everything has been happening over the weekend and now I come back to work on Monday to find a pile of papers on my desk or emails that needs to be answered. This all takes time that I don't have when I come in the door, so the stress level kicks in immediately.

It would be nice to have an assistant at work who could take some of work load off of me, but we all know that companies always squeeze every last ounce of work out of a single employee to save company money!  It's not fair. 

[Robin Tetley]

My Mum is a medical secretary at the hospital here in Nottingham. Now that's a stress I could not deal with is. She pretty much does two peoples jobs and doesn't have time to do everything she needs to.

And since she's dealing with patients who are usually referred to her Doctor because of unknown brain issues (you can tell I'm very medical I guess using a phrase like that) her not getting back to a GP with a letter about a particular patient in enough time could literally be the difference between life and death.

[Jenna]

Hi Robin, the medical is a very stressful field to be in.  My sister is a medical doctor and every day is stressful for her!  She tells me stories about having tons of work, never being able to finish what she starts and always having more work added on to her list of things to do.  One of the things she hates is spending time documenting everything she does.  It's very time consuming. 

She also talks about the problems she faces at work.  This includes dealing with other doctors who have given patients treatment plans that she doesn't agree with.  By the way, my sister is an oncologist.  So she deals with patients who have cancer.  That alone is hard to do.  I don't think I could do her job every day of the week. 

[Robin Tetley]

That's a very trick and difficult job.

My Mum is a secretary for a neurology specialist so often when people are referred to her specialist it's over fainting, headaches, blackouts and things like this. These issues range from epilepsy to brain tumours and with the latter time is obviously of the essence so getting through her work and sending letters back to GP's is vital.

I guess some people thrive on that kind of pressure but I wouldn't.

I used to answer 999 calls for British Telecom. My job was to connect the person on the other end to which ever emergency service they required. Sometimes, especially with large city departments it could take up to six minutes to connect them. I'm sure you can imagine how difficult that could be because people calling 999 were usually desperate and, well, in a real emergency.

Then they get me calmly telling them, "I'm just trying to connect you now".

Not easy.

[Jonathan]

I think you meant tricky there?

[Gota]

A pal of mine is a GP in Glasgow. He has to work usually 12 hours a day or more.

I think a GP is a very stressful position.

They call it a vocation and it has to be because who'd want to work those hours?

[Robin Tetley]

I think it takes a very caring person to be a GP or any kind of Doctor really. I know we all might be able to think of times when a Doctor was abrupt or rude maybe but you wouldn't go into it just for the money would you? I'm sure there are plenty of jobs that pay well without that level of stress and accuracy needed. Peoples lives are literally in your hands.

We were talking about politicians a while ago and I think the same about that field. Not that peoples lives are in your hands (though they are if you get to the very top of the political ladder) but that you wouldn't go into it just to make money.

Anybody else have thoughts on theses things?

[Bob]

I still don't trust politicians and I wouldn't think about going to mine with problems.

[Robin Tetley]

I understand your feelings towards politicians Bob.

I think something needs to change in the way the media covers this subject for people to have a healthy dose of respect for all things political.

It will probably take a generation though.