We all feel anxious at times on a Sunday night, especially after a successful and fun weekend and overseeing a busy week.
According to the latest American Sleep Foundation poll, 79.5% of adults have more trouble sleeping on Sundays than on the rest of the week.
Have you ever felt dread or anxiety on Sunday evening, as the holiday draws to a close? Have you succumbed to despair and stomachaches while overseeing a busy week? If so, you may have experienced what are known as “Sunday worries” or “Sunday night depression.”
What are “Sunday concerns”?
Dr. Alex Demetriou explains that Sunday fears “are basically a form of performance anxiety, which is anxiety that a person gets when they’re being watched or tested. Part of it is normal but when it gets too extreme, it leads to fatigue, insomnia, and a restless night.”
This phenomenon is very prevalent among young employees who bear multiple responsibilities, burdens and obligations, including work, family and social obligations, and its effects are usually evident with the end of the vacation, when a new week looms on the horizon.
According to a survey conducted by the US National Sleep Foundation, Sunday was identified by all age groups as the most difficult day to sleep. It ranked first among men (31.6%) and among women (30.4%).
The causes of “Sunday worries” can vary from person to person, but there are common external influences that contribute to this phenomenon:
Busy work week
One of the reasons for Sunday worries is that people expect a tiring work week ahead. Dealing with a long list of tasks, deadlines, and long meetings can create stress and anxiety, leaving you feeling stressed.
Imbalance between work and personal life
Another reason for Sunday worries is the lack of work-life balance for a person. If you spend most of your weekends catching up on work or worrying about matters related to your job tasks, you may need more time to relax and recharge.
Bad working environment
55 percent of people associate anxiety with their work life, so if you dread going to work, feeling anxious and stressed about the upcoming work week is normal. A bad work environment or negative work culture contributes to Sunday’s fears.
family responsibilities
More than 2 out of 5 people suffer from stress stemming from trying to balance work and family, and there is no doubt that personal or family obligations that must be dealt with during a busy work week, may increase stress and unease, but by identifying the factors that raise Sunday concerns, you can take proactive steps to address them and start the week full of positive energy:
Prioritize sleep
Most people try to catch up on the lack of sleep on the weekends, but studies have shown that this doesn’t work, and it’s important to establish healthy sleep habits. Because of this, you need to maintain a consistent sleep schedule, which means going to bed at the same time every day, even during the holidays. Adhering to this rule will enable you to regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle, and improve the quality of your sleep.
Self care
Sometimes, self-care is at the bottom of your to-do list, but neglecting your physical and mental health can lead to stress and fatigue and all kinds of organic diseases, so you have to keep yourself busy with your daily routine and take care of your skin, and there is nothing wrong with some spiritual exercises such as meditation, or spending time With loved ones, to release tension and create a sense of emotional fulfillment.
Plan and enjoy
This includes taking time on Sunday to review your plans and organize your to-do list for the coming days. This increases your sense of control and readiness to start a busy week, then it is necessary to take periods of rest and enjoyment, you can do different activities and hobbies, such as going out for long relaxing walks in nature.
