Mondays have a reputation of being the worst day of the week. I’m not even going to pretend that I don’t get the Sunday scaries as I anticipate the start of a new workweek.
And I’m definitely not alone in this feeling. According to a recent poll – from Monster.com – 81% of Americans said they get the Sunday-night blues. 59% said they experience them to a “really bad” degree.
It’s especially challenging after a weekend filled with fun events, rest and relaxation, and quality time with the people you love.
But, last night, as the sun started to set and the Sunday blues started to kick in, I decided to pull out my journal and make a list of reasons why I feel anxious and what I can do to ensure my “weekend feeling” lasts all weekend long. Here are some strategies we can try.
How to Overcome Sunday Night Blues
1) Do Sunday on Saturday.
Run your errands, do your food prep, prepare for the upcoming week on Saturdays. That will free up your Sundays to do all the fun stuff.
2) Stay late on Friday night.
Most people want to leave the minute the clock strikes 5PM so they can get to the closest happy hour by 5:30, drink 2-3 glasses of wine, and be in their PJs and curled up on the couch by 8PM. I know this feeling all too well. But, I also know that there are added benefits to being the last one at work on Fridays. Not only are you able to prepare for the week ahead, but you’re also able to complete tasks more efficiently and productively. Because, turns out, staying late on Friday is really uncool. So you’ll get to work without interruption and you’ll have access to the copiers and the supplies you need without having to make small talk.
3) Change up the schedule for Sunday nights.
It’s tempting to want to stay in and binge watch your favorite TV show on Netflix. (Guilty! I definitely did this last night). But, watching TV allows for your mind to wander and think about all the tasks that you need to get done. Instead of choosing a passive activity, it may be beneficial to do something that keeps your mind engaged so it doesn’t allow for workweek thoughts to take over. Planning a book club or meeting up with friends is a great way to keep yourself entertained and absorbed in the moment.
4) Schedule something to look forward to.
Strategically making plans for the upcoming week can help ease some of the Sunday stress. They don’t need to be big events – just something that you’re looking forward to (e.g. a TV show, a night out with friends, a super special bottle of wine).
5) Set intentions and map out your week.
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A lot of the stress on Sunday nights comes from the paralysis of not knowing where to begin. There is nothing worse than that Monday morning feeling when you walk in and are completely steamrolled by one of your students, a mound of paperwork, or an inbox that seemed to explode with new e-mails over the weekend.
Setting aside an hour on Saturdays or Sundays to map out your week can make sure you start your week off with purpose and intention. (Click here to buy The Greatness Journal pictured above.)
I know my Sunday blues won’t completely disappear, but I know that with these few changes, I can end my weekend on a happier note.
Questions of the Day:
- Do you experience the “Sunday blues?” How do you overcome them?
- How do you spend your Sundays?
Having something to look forward to during the week can make a big difference! There’s no reason that you can only have fun on weekends…just have to be a bit more creative about it on weekdays!
Rachel G recently posted…10 Things that Shouldn’t be Difficult, But Are
Prepping on Satrudays is something I started doing a while back to free up my Sunday nights for the exact same reason! The Sunday blues used to always get to me, but I try not allow myself to get anxious about the weekend being over. I try to make the best of it!
And I also stay late on Fridays every now and then! I love the quiet and peace at the office after everyone else has left!
Great list, Divya!
Happy Monday xxx
I need to start food prepping! I hate to cook, so this would help.
Ugh, I try to stay positive about Monday.
Yay, Game of Thrones. Such an awesome show.
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I’m moving right along! Onto Season 5 now!
I’m anxious for the new season to start! I think there’s only 1-2 more seasons after that, then they’re coming off the air!
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Really?! Oh gosh. That makes me want to move slower so it lasts longer!
I love these tips! I used to get depressed on Sunday nights because of the stress of having to return to “real life” the next day. It’s not so bad now that I work for myself. 🙂
I like the idea of doing on Saturday, things I would normally do on a Sunday. I’ll definitely try that this weekend. But I’ll stick to doing my 30minute planner updates on Sunday. I actually find that refreshing.
Yeah, I map out my week on Sunday too! Just helps me mentally prepare for what’s to come 🙂
I love all of your ideas! These are all great ways to view the week ahead positively.
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I definitely get the Sunday blues, we are guilty of sitting on the couch and binging TV most Sunday nights, I agree that maybe changing up the routine could help a bit! We just got a new card game so maybe next Sunday I’ll make my husband play that with me instead of watching TV!
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I’ve had the Sunday blues since I started working! And that’s a long time. I just love weekends THAT much 🙂 Saturdays is usually when we’re out and about and we spend Sunday doing nothing (in our minds, it’s recharging but really, it’s the blues haha!). Maybe I’ll try you suggestion and switch it up!
thank you for these tips. Since blogging as a part time job, weekends aren’t the same anymore. I spend it planning my calendar, meal prepping, and planning next weeks events many things you recommended. So i guess I am on the right track!
the fashion sherlock
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These are great tips! I like the idea of getting ready for the next week on Saturday instead of Sunday. Thats half the reason I get so depressed!!
Great tips! I’m retired, now, and loving retired life. But, I remember that Sunday night feeling all too well for many years. Your tips make sense and should be helpful.
Carol (“Mimi”) recently posted…2 Spring Wreath Tutorials
when i was teaching I got the sunday night blues BAD. I prepped everything on saturday, spent the whole day shopping, cooking, and organizing, which gave me sunday to chill. ut i love your suggestion of scheduling sometime to look forward to on sundays… hanging with friends or a TV show!
Yeah, I think teachers get hit with it really hard because you never truly feel ready for your kids and your lessons! There’s always more that can be done.
The Sunday blues get horrible for me! I absolutely dread Sunday nights and hope that the sun never rises. But hey you gotta deal with life! So I pre plan my weekends and look forward to it for the entire week!
I work from home so my schedule is very different but I do get it! And planning something fun to look forward to is very important indeed when it comes to fighting the sunday night blues 🙂 Great post!
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Those are all great tips! #1 makes a lot of sense because I usually have more enrgy on Saturdays and I’m also out and about with my family. I have been slacking on mapping out my week, but it needs to be done.
Love this! That is why I do spa Sundays to help alleviate the blues. I am all about planning ahead (meal and work) to make Mondays even less stressful. Great tips, girl!
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I actually love the start of a new week now that I work for myself. I used to hate it!
These are fantastic tips. Especially doing Sunday on Saturday. I feel like that would definitely help me to not dread Sunday’s so much.
Great suggestions for what to do with your Sunday. I don’t really have a problem finding things to do on Sunday or any other day for that matter. I am looking forward to Game of Thrones season starting though! I don’t get excited about television shows but this one has gripped me.
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ME TOO. I’m on Season 5 now!
I do not experience the Sunday Blues anymore because I am a SAHM. Every day is full of busy-ness and excitement for me!
Sunday nights can be tough. I agree with scheduling fun events during the week and having those to look forward to would go a long way in helping one dive into the week.
Beth || http://www.TheStyleBouquet.com
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I guess I’m the minority because I don’t get Sunday night blues very often. Maybe it’s because there’s a few things I do to help me start on the right foot Monday. I try to spend time Sunday relaxing away from work related activities and social media (I unplug). I plan out my week ahead so I feel excited about new goals for the days ahead. I try not get overwhelmed by that to-do list. I take it a day at a time. It’s just Monday, not the end of the world. 🙂 Instead I try to think of it as “It’s Monday! A start of a fresh new week of possibilities!”
I like these ideas. If my Sunday feels unproductive or boring it feels like I’m wasting my weekend! Taking some time to schedule the next week is something I should try.
I used to hate Sunday’s when I hated the job I was going to. Then I found a job I loved and didn’t mind Sunday’s. Then I met someone that I only saw on the weekends and hated Sunday’s again. Ugh.
Great tips!!
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those statistics are really wild and i love the food prepping suggestion…it relieves stress and improves health. cheers!
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Oh it’s so true!! The Sunday night blues!! 😖 You definitely have some great tips to help overcome them tho!! I’m very excited to try out a few!! Do you have anything to help with the Monday morning blues now….??? Lol
Coffee! Lots of coffee! 😉
I don’t get the Sunday Blues anymore because I make time during the week for my favorite activities. I’ve also practiced staying in the moment a lot – this has helped tremendously. Now when I’m off work, I’m not “at work” in my mind. Love that Friday meme pic, haha!
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I love your ideas for overcoming that Sunday night sadness. Scheduling something fun on Sunday night is a fantastic idea–it would definitely give you something besides “work tomorrow” to look forward to!!
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These are all really great tips. I’m definitely one of those people that are often dreading Monday and the new work week. I like the idea of looking forward to something!
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The dreaded Monday I hear so much about. I’ve been self-employed most of my adult life and usually take Monday’s slow. I like being able to ease into the start of the week.
Yep the Sunday blue are definitely a thing. I like your idea about staying late on a Friday, but I often find my mind has just had it by Friday afternoon and my ability to think clearly just goes straight down hill – if I can, I try to leave Friday arvo for those mundane activities that I don’t have to think too hard about. P.S. Love that cup 😉
These are great ideas. I have terrible anxiety on Sunday nights, and I cannot seem to escape it. I’m going to try some of your tips. Thanks for posting this!
You are right. Doing things on Saturday instead would definitely help!
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I agree that it’s important to have something to look forward to. Although I don’t get the Sunday blues, I always wish I had more time in my weekend. Depending upon how one looks at it, I either end my weekend with a great detox bath or I begin for the next week. It’s my weekly treat to myself.
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Great tips! Monday blues are awful! I try to complete my errands on Friday night so that I don’t have to waste my Sunday on laundry or grocery! I love to spend my Sunday on the beach if I don’t have any plans!
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I miss living near the beach!
I am guilty of the Sunday Night Blues! It is not that I do not love my students, but I just love being able to spend quality time with my family. The Walking Dead lifts my spirits, but that is coming to an end after next week! I love your idea of giving yourself something to look forward to. I mean…besides being one day closer to Summer Break. Haha!
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Yes! As a teacher it can be hard because we often have to bring work home with us over the weekend so it never feels like a real true weekend off!
I totally agree about mapping out the week! I feel so much better about starting the week if I have things cleaned, prepped and planned out.
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Oh how I dwell getting up early on Monday morning. Doing the same routine no matter what I have to do it. I do prepare ahead as you mentioned. It does save me time. While I can be doing something else. Believe me it works with three kids.
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Really great tips! I remember completely dreading Monday mornings. The funny thing is, I still get a tinge of it even now that I stay home. These are all excellent ideas.
I definitely need to do more on Saturday so Sunday is more relaxing, as part of my “blues” is because I’m rushing around trying to do all the things.
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Even if at the moment I work from home, Sundays are always a tragedy. I watch movies, walk with dogs, talk to my husband. Occasionally I cook.
It is like (for my husband and me) it is a MUST that we do nothing on a Sunday.
I do think that this is a cute idea to do Sundays on Saturdays. I just think I would end up being stressed on Sunday anyway unfortunately.
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You have some great ideas for Sunday! I know lately I have really dreaded Monday and I kind of fall into that rut week after week. I do like the idea of staying late on Fridays. I used to do this when I was in an office and it was really nice to just breathe and get stuff put together so Monday wasn’t so scary.
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These are good, really good. Also remember: Mondays are 1.79 day at Goodwill! I wish I could show you all the amazing things I’ve scored on Monday…we just got a TRAIN TABLE for $1.79! So that’s something to look forward to.
Honestly, I try not to worry about Monday any more. It has to come just as how Friday has to come. I focus on Friday instead
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We do potluck at church every Sunday night and I like that. I’m not a Monday girl. I try to do my best to limit what I do on Mondays.
Great tips I love them. I especially like planning something to look forward to.
I totally feel the Sunday blues and I love all these ideas! #1 is brilliant… if I prep when I still have a day left for the weekend, it probably won’t feel as depressing.
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