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NEW YORK — As millions of football fans prepare for the biggest game of the year, a pressing question emerges: Why isn’t the following Monday a national holiday? According to new research, this isn’t just idle water cooler talk — 55% believe the day after the Super Bowl should be recognized as a national holiday. The reasons behind this sentiment reveal a deeper story about our relationship with Mondays, sports culture, and work-life balance.

The survey of 3,000 adults over 21, conducted by Talker Research in partnership with Coors Light, delved into the unique challenges of the post-Super Bowl Monday and broader attitudes toward the first day of the workweek. The findings paint a picture of widespread Monday malaise that becomes particularly acute following major sporting events.

In all, an overwhelming 76% of respondents would prefer any other day of the week to Monday, with two-thirds specifically identifying it as their least favorite day. The reasons are familiar to many: 34% report that everything feels slower on Mondays, while an equal percentage struggle with lingering sadness about the weekend’s end.

Mondays can wreak havoc on the office

These “cases of the Mondays” aren’t rare occurrences. On average, respondents experience this phenomenon 15 times per year, translating to more than one Monday per month where they feel particularly challenged. The symptoms are varied but significant: many report feeling drained and struggling with work tasks, while others become irritable or find themselves moving at a notably slower pace throughout the day.

The struggle is particularly real for the 26% of respondents who admit they consistently find the beginning of the week challenging. Perhaps most telling is the revelation that nearly one in ten workers mentally “check out” as early as Monday, suggesting a significant impact on productivity and workplace engagement.

When it comes to the Monday following the Super Bowl, the situation becomes even more pronounced. The survey found that 71% of adults regularly experience “a case of the Mondays” after staying out late on Sunday nights, but 60% specifically noted they’re likely to face this challenge after the big game. More significantly, 41% of respondents ranked the post-Super Bowl Monday among the top three most dreaded Mondays of the entire year.

The reasons for this particular Monday’s infamy are multifaceted. Half of the football fans surveyed cited the challenge of facing work after staying up late, while 46% specifically mentioned the difficulty of heading to work following such an engaging event. The emotional impact extends beyond mere fatigue – 36% of respondents noted that this Monday represents something more profound: the end of football season. An additional 18% expressed specific disappointment about no longer being able to watch their favorite teams play.

Marcelo Pascoa, vice president of marketing at Coors Light, acknowledges these challenges. “We get it — Mondays can hit hard, especially after an epic Sunday game,” he noted. “The Monday after Big Game Sunday can feel like one of the slowest days of the year. We’re here to encourage fans to choose chill, even when Monday calls.”

How to overcome the most dreadful day of the week

To combat these Monday challenges, survey respondents shared various coping strategies. Some take a philosophical approach, treating Mondays as if they were Fridays or focusing on completing one task at a time to build a sense of accomplishment. Others emphasize the importance of self-motivation and maintaining a positive mindset.

The survey uncovered numerous practical tips for managing Monday difficulties. Some respondents recommend creating something to look forward to, whether it’s a special coffee treat or taking time to watch a favorite show. Others suggest staying busy to make time pass more quickly or thinking of Monday as a “springboard to the week.” Some take a more practical approach, advocating for completing time-consuming tasks on Sunday to lighten Monday’s workload.

More creative suggestions included rebranding Monday as “MEday” or embracing its French pronunciation as “MON-day.” Other respondents emphasized the importance of maintaining perspective, with one noting the value of appreciating life’s basic blessings: “At the end of the day, however difficult your day was, you are still blessed to have food on your table, a job as the source of your income and your family waiting for you at home.”