You’ve probably felt it before.
After enjoying a Saturday free from work responsibilities, you’re looking forward to one more day on the weekend. Maybe you’ve made plans to go to a farmer’s market or pick out a new book. Or maybe you have plans to get brunch with new friends or get some physical exercise.
But instead, you wake up Sunday morning and pour your cup of coffee. As you’re running through your plan for the day, this feeling starts to creep in. You start to think about the work week ahead — on your weekend.
When I’ve had the Sunday Scaries in the past, it feels like a mix of dread, depression, and anxiety. It’s a lingering tension that absorbs your attention and awareness.
Instead of enjoying your Sunday, your attention is devoured by work. You’re thinking about your to-do list and the meetings you’ll need to attend. You’re thinking about your inbox or Slack messages waiting for you on Monday morning.
You can’t fully enjoy one of your two days off of work because of it. It robs you of being present and being mindful. It robs you of your mental fitness and your ability to reach your full potential.
It’s called the Sunday Scaries. But why do the Sunday Scaries happen? What makes you experience them? And can we really define what the Sunday Scaries are?
What are the Sunday Scaries?
The term "Sunday Scaries" describes a common feeling of anxiety that tends to build up over the course of Sunday afternoon and evening. This anxiety is triggered by the impending return to the office, school, or work after the weekend. People often feel an overwhelming sense of pressure to perform well at work and thus pursue or maintain financial stability, which can contribute to these feelings of dread and apprehension.
The Sunday Scaries can also be influenced by fixating on the fear of missing out (FOMO) during the weekend or the workload for the upcoming week. Some ways to cope with the Sunday Scaries include establishing mindful Sunday rituals, creating a plan for the week, getting enough sleep, and cultivating positive habits.
What do the Sunday Scaries feel like?
The Sunday Scaries can bring on a slew of feelings. But according to researchers and psychologists, the symptoms are very much real. Here are six things you may feel if you’re experiencing a case of the Sunday scaries:
If you’re experiencing increased symptoms of anxiety or depression, seek professional help. A mental health professional or doctor will be able to help offer professional guidance and help.
5 common causes of the Sunday Scaries
The anticipatory anxiety of Sunday Scaries can feel overwhelming. And while we wish there was a simple answer as to why it happens, the causes are varied.
Truthfully, you’ll have to nail down the root cause yourself. Each person’s situation is different. With BetterUp, you can work one-on-one with a coach to help pinpoint your feelings. Your coach can help guide you to figure out where the Sunday scary symptoms might be coming from.
Here are five common causes of the Sunday Scaries.
Increased stress
Maybe you’ve taken on more responsibility at work. Or perhaps you’re on a big project with a deadline fast approaching.
Or maybe you’re juggling caregiving responsibilities, a full-time job, and all the other demands of life. And right now, work adds a lot of stress to your plate.
Burnout
If you’re finding yourself unable to disconnect from work, you might be on the path to burnout. Burnout can present itself in many ways: too much work, too many hours in the workweek (and weekends), and sacrificing work for personal life.
Consider how a coach could help you navigate burnout. With BetterUp, you can be on your way to balancing work and life well. On average, BetterUp members have reported a 19% reduction in burnout.
A toxic work environment
If your workplace lacks psychological safety or belonging, it would make sense that you might be feeling the Sunday Scaries.
In toxic work environments, employees aren’t set up to thrive. In fact, quite the opposite. Your case of the Sunday Scaries could be your beacon light alerting for help.
Uncertainty and change
We’re living in a time of perpetual change. And we know that human beings are creatures of habit.
With increased uncertainty and change, it can be difficult to imagine your week, especially with the pandemic.
Sunday Scaries and anxiety
Anxiety is a natural emotion characterized by temporary worry or fear. It usually occurs as a result of stress (i.e. a demanding career, a toxic work environment, or competing priorities).
Under stress, your automatic nervous system kicks in. It speeds up your heart rate and makes sure you have enough glucose to take action.
If you live with an anxiety disorder, you might recognize some of the same symptoms in the Sunday scaries. And according to the experts, the Sunday Scaries are a form of anticipatory anxiety.
But anticipatory anxiety isn’t its own disorder. Instead, it’s a symptom of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). GAD is an anxiety disorder that’s defined by excessive worrying. According to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, it’s common. In fact, 6.8 million Americans suffer from GAD.
Seek the help of a mental health professional if you find yourself struggling. We’ll talk more about how you can manage the Sunday scaries — and when to seek help.
15 ways to manage the Sunday Scaries
That Sunday Scaries feeling can feel all-consuming. But don’t worry. There are things you can do to help manage your case of the Sunday scaries.
1. Check in with yourself
The first step to managing the Sunday Scaries is acknowledging that you have them. This takes some self-awareness and introspection.
Take some time to examine how you’re feeling. Sometimes, this starts with your physical body. Are you tensing your muscles? Is your body hunched or feeling condensed? Is your jaw tight?
Then, examine your mind and feelings. This could be a great time for some journaling. What are you stressed about? What’s occupying your mind? Are you in a negative automatic thought loop? How would you describe your emotions?
2. Plan something on Sunday night
When Sunday evening rolls around, that’s usually when the Sunday Scaries strike hardest. So, let’s try to counter that. To avoid those Sunday blues, plan something for Sunday night.
It can be something little, like an arts and craft project. Or perhaps you make dinner plans with a friend or loved one. But the goal is to keep your mind off of the work week ahead.
3. Try to finish any house chores on Fridays
I’ve found myself scouring my entire house all weekend. Then, by the time Sunday rolls around, I’ve completed chores. But I haven’t done nearly enough rest or the time needed to truly recharge for another work week.
Try to finish all your house chores and errands during the workweek. I’ve recently started splitting up my household chores into different days (along with my partner).
For example, bathrooms and floors get cleaned on Wednesdays. Laundry is done almost every weekday, but not on weekends (unless necessary). Try to break it up into small chunks to help free up your weekend for things that you can truly enjoy.
4. Completely unplug
Digital detox, anyone? Unplugging feels almost too good — but can be tough to do. Commit to unplugging, especially if your social media use is impacting your mental health.
5. Practice visualization
Mondays can feel daunting. If you’re spiraling into what your Monday could look like, try visualizing your perfect Sunday. With a mindset shift, you can be surprised at how much of a difference you can see.
6. Maintain good sleep hygiene
Disrupted sleep can have a ripple effect on all aspects of your physical and mental health. The weekend might lend itself to irregular sleep schedules.
While it might sound like a good idea to stay up later than usual, try to maintain a regular sleep schedule. Your sleep is paramount to your mental fitness. Maintain consistency as much as possible to manage the Sunday Scaries.
7. Practice Inner Work®
Inner Work® is for every day of the week. With a consistent Inner Work® practice, you can reap the benefits of Inner Work®. And Inner Work® will look differently for everyone.
For example, my teammate practices Inner Work® through painting and drawing classes. I like to spend time outside for a good workout and self-care. And another teammate enjoys spending time on walks and with family.
How can you implement an Inner Work® practice to help alleviate your Sunday scary symptoms?
8. Develop a Sunday ritual
Establishing a calming routine, such as taking a long bath, reading a book, or going for a walk can provide a sense of stability and comfort. These rituals can help you transition smoothly into the work week.
9. Prepare for the week ahead
Spend some time on Sunday afternoon to plan your week. This can include meal prepping, laying out your clothes for Monday, or making a to-do list. By organizing your week in advance, you can alleviate some of the stress associated with Monday mornings.
10. Practice mindfulness meditation
Mindfulness helps you stay present and reduces anxiety. You can use guided meditation apps or simply sit quietly, focusing on your breath for a few minutes.
11. Exercise regularly
Physical activity is known to reduce stress and improve mood. Whether it's a yoga session, a brisk walk, or a high-intensity workout, find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your Sunday routine.
12. Limit caffeine intake
Caffeine can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and disturb sleep patterns. Try to limit your caffeine intake, particularly in the afternoon and evening.
13. Spend time in nature
Time outdoors can have a calming effect on the mind. Try to spend some time in a park, garden, or by the sea. Even a short walk can help reset your mind and lift your spirits.
14. Connect with loved ones
Spending time with friends or family can help distract from work-related anxieties. Plan a Sunday dinner, call a friend, or engage in a fun activity with your loved ones. Connection and laughter are great antidotes to stress.
15. Talk to a mental health professional
Your mental health comes first. There’s no reason your mental health should suffer because of your work environment.
If you’re struggling to manage your Sunday Scaries, seek help. Those living with depression or anxiety disorders should keep their doctors informed. With professional medical help, you can find additional mental health support.
Are Sunday Scaries normal?
Yes, experiencing the Sunday Scaries is quite normal and common. According to LinkedIn, 80% of Americans experience it. Looking at the generational differences, 90% of Gen Z and millennials report feeling it. Various other surveys and studies have provided statistics that highlight how widespread this phenomenon is:
- According to a survey reported by Fast Company, 75% of workers experience the Sunday Scaries.
- A poll cited by The Independent suggested that around 67% of people experience this phenomenon.
- A YouGov study found that about 14% of Americans who have work or school obligations experience the Sunday Scaries every week.
- Leaders.com reported that 80% of people surveyed experience the Sunday Scaries, with 94% of Gen Z workers admitting they feel anxious about work on Sundays.
How long do Sunday Scaries last?
The length of the Sunday Scaries can really differ from person to person and mostly depends on your own circumstances, schedule, and how you manage stress. And even though it's called the Sunday Scaries, it's worth mentioning that these feelings can pop up on any day of the week, especially when you start thinking about the upcoming work or school week.
According to a survey cited by The Atlantic, the Sunday Scaries typically set in around 3:58 p.m., although the exact timing can vary. How long these feelings last can also differ among individuals. For some, the anxiety may fade away as Monday progresses and they settle into their weekly routine. For others, it may linger into the workweek.
When to seek help for Sunday Scaries
It's important to note that while it's normal to experience some degree of anxiety or stress about the upcoming week, if the Sunday Scaries are causing significant distress or interfering with your ability to enjoy your weekend, it may be worth exploring strategies to manage this anxiety or speaking to a mental health professional.
Get rid of your Sunday Scaries
The upcoming week can bring all sorts of feelings of dread. It can impact your overall well-being. It can feel like your work-life balance is, well, off-balanced. It can throw off your coming week, no matter how well-prepared and equipped you are to handle it.
The Sunday Scaries inherently come with that deep sense of dread. But it’s possible to keep your Sunday scary symptoms at bay. It’s possible to live in the present moment.
With BetterUp, you can become better equipped to handle all that life throws at you. From managing stress to alleviating burnout, your coach can help. And, a nutrition coach can even help with things like creating a meal prep.
With individualized support, you can unlock your full potential. Try BetterUp — and start managing your Sunday scaries.
-1.png)
