Next Sunday is Halloween, which means bring on the scaries. A typical Sunday, however? No thank you. The term “Sunday scaries” refers to the mounting anxiety – and even dread – that people experience on Sundays, with the weekend quickly coming to an end and a long, busy week approaching. It’s anticipatory anxiety with the power to ruin a perfectly good weekend day. While the only real cure for the Sunday scaries might be dropping out of school, quitting your job, and moving to a remote island where time is inconsequential, there are definitely ways to find relief. These five tips for planning a stress-free week will help minimize your Sunday scaries so you can enjoy your entire weekend.
Take a look at your week ahead and double check that your planner is up to date.
Give yourself a little preview of the week so you’re not caught off guard when life restarts on Monday. Write down any due dates, exams, club meetings, games, work obligations, and whatever else you have going on. It can be helpful to make a priority list for each day during the week, or at least Monday, so you know exactly what you need to accomplish. Putting your pillow over your head and ignoring the impending week may be tempting but trust me – that’s a recipe for a chaotic Monday. A little preparation and proactivity can make all the difference.
Get your chores done and tidy your space.
There is really nothing like rolling out of bed on a Monday to a clean bedroom, a dresser full of freshly washed clothes, an organized backpack, and a stocked fridge. You’ve got plenty to think about Monday through Friday, from schoolwork to extracurricular obligations. On Sunday, take a little bit of time to take all those other inevitable tasks off your plate, so you don’t have one more thing to worry about come Monday.
Save some time for a Self-Care Sunday.
Whatever self-care looks like for you, do it on Sundays. Go for a long run, take a bubble bath, get lunch with friends, play video games, get your nails done – it doesn’t matter. Sunday is the perfect day for taking care of yourself before a whirlwind week begins, so make it a priority. This will help make Sunday scarie-free and help you head into Monday feeling rejuvenated.
Plan things to look forward to during the coming week.
You’ve mapped out a week full of obligations and responsibilities… and now you might be prepared for the week, but equally overwhelmed. Sprinkle in some activities or “treats” that you can look forward to throughout the week, and your calendar will look a lot more appealing. They don’t have to be anything major. Full disclosure: I had The Bachelorette premiere, a Target trip, and a FaceTime with a friend all written in my planner this week, and they made my week infinitely brighter!
Go to bed early.
We’re all tired by Friday. It’s just inevitable. Don’t make your life even harder by starting Monday tired, too! Prep for the week, do some things you enjoy, and then start winding down your day early. I had a friend in college who I constantly teased for her “geriatric bedtimes,” yet she always looked the most refreshed and was nearly always in a great mood. Coincidence? Definitely not. Embrace the early bedtime!
With the exception of October 31st, Sundays do not need to be a scary day. Once you get into the habit of spending Sunday setting yourself up for a wonderful week, you’ll also see those scaries subside.