“Sunday Scaries”: usually defined as feelings of dread and anxiety that creep in anywhere from 1-4pm on Sunday as the weekend winds down. I like to think of the Sunday Scaries as two-fold: on one hand, I’d do just about anything to make them go away. On the other, they serve as a classic ‘kick myself’ moment that forces me to reevaluate my weekend decisions, life goals, and bank account that seemed to magically quadruple itself (in my mind) come 11pm the night before.
Whether you buy into the Sunday Scaries or not, there’s no denying that bummed out feelings can creep in Sunday evening, leaving you wishing you had just one more day of the weekend before you’re back to the races at the office.
Rather than wasting away what may be the best day of the week altogether, we’re choosing to seize the Sunday Scaries #likewemeanit and nixing them right from the moment we wake up.
Scroll on for 5 easy ways to fight off the Sunday Scaries once and for all, according to the experts (aka me and all of our brilliant readers who weighed in!)
image by chelsea rochelle
photo by free people
Throw On Your Activewear
Sitting around moping about what you wish you did or didn’t do over the weekend is only going to make it worse. Instead, throw on that cute workout outfit you love, lace up your sneakers, and get up and do something –anything– that you enjoy outside. Go for a walk and listen to a podcast, throw the frisbee at the park with friends or your dog, or run some errands you’ve been putting off.
If you’re engaged in an activity that keeps you distracted and moving, your mind has much less room to allow workweek worries to sneak in and take hold. If the weather isn’t so great, try tackling a load of laundry or cleaning out the refrigerator. Getting organized is a great way to get your thinking away from the week ahead and into the present moment instead. Remember: the hardest part to a productive weekend is always getting up and getting started.
photo by outdoor voices
Keep the Fluids Coming
Getting enough water is important every day, but it’s especially important on those dreaded Sundays after a night of perhaps one-too-many cocktails. Replenish your body with plenty of water and natural foods that are packed with nutrients. Drink a big glass of water right when you wake up, and keep a water bottle with you to continue drinking from throughout the day. Eat water-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, smoothies, and broth-based soups.
Our best kept secret? Supercharge your water by adding some lemon and pink Himalayan sea salt. Balancing the body’s pH levels, replenishing electrolytes, fighting inflammation, reducing stress, and clearing up the skin are all benefits we can gain by drinking a full glass of water with as much lemon juice as you can handle, and a teaspoon of pink Himalayan sea salt. The vitamin C content of the lemon and the minerals in the Himalayan salt work together to create the ultimate detoxifying duo.
photo by kate lesuer
Get Social
Call some friends or family to meet up for a healthy lunch, a hike, or a stroll around the neighborhood. Connecting with others can benefit you big time when you’re trying to get past Sunday scaries, and experts agree — being less social can mean being less happy. So, get out there and hang out with your BFFs. Just being around them can make a big difference in how you handle the day.
photo by sézane
Treat Yourself
According to Nataly Kogan, CEO of Happier Inc., a good way to avoid having a bad mindset heading into Sunday evening is to treat yourself to something nice. This can be as big as doing some shopping in the afternoon (Monday morning is always more fun with a new outfit!), or something simple like making yourself an extra special dinner while listening to your favorite playlist.
photo by ashleigh amoroso
Recharge Your Batteries
Come Sunday evening, start winding down early. Take a relaxing bubble bath, read a good book, watch an inspiring documentary, and get in bed early. Try to get as much rest as possible to make up for any lost Zzz’s over the weekend. A solid 8+ hours of Sunday sleep will do wonders come Monday morning.
—
photo by wit and delight
Big thank you to everyone who submitted answers last week to our Instagram poll of ‘How do you get rid of the Sunday scaries?‘ Y’all seriously delivered! Since they were too good not to share, here are a few of our favorites…
“I always tell myself one thing: if it’s still bad on Monday morning, it’s worth another thought. Otherwise, I try to remind myself that my brain doesn’t handle stress the same way at 11pm-1am than it would at any other given time of the day – at least that’s what I’ve been told is the case, hence why people get more anxious at night. So I try to reason with myself and so far it’s worked well for me!” — @atelierhoell
“I always try to set goals that make me excited to dive into Monday head first. Life is too short to dread the start of new week.” — @astookes
“Making a big meal with my sister in-law for our family is a great way to keep the weekend going. We love cooking, and we do this every Sunday evening. The structure of it is relaxing for me.” — @libbyluvatx
“Puppy therapy! Snuggling with dogs, watching an inspiring movie on the couch with friends, cooking a healthy dinner, laughing it off .” — @hannah713
