No matter how much someone loves their job, there's a good chance that they feel at least some tinge of sadness on Sundays, knowing that their weekend is coming to a close. For others, this state of mind -- known as the "Sunday scaries" or "Sunday blues" -- could also involve the onset of anxiety, as well as feelings of dread and irritability, as thoughts of the week ahead loom in their mind, says clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD.
Though the Sunday scaries can hit people in different ways and at different times (some people even start to feel the angst on Saturday), the experience itself is incredibly common, and completely normal and valid. Here's what to know about the end-of-the-weekend blues, including ways to cope when your weekly dose of dread sets in, and maybe even enjoy your weekend.
Generally speaking, the Sunday scaries are usually negative thoughts or emotional distress about the upcoming week, says Peggy Loo, PhD, a licensed psychologist. While the terms are often used interchangeably and certainly overlap, Loo explains that the "Sunday blues" differ slightly from the so-called scaries, because they focus on the weekend coming to an end. "[The Sunday scaries] tend to be future-centered and anticipatory, [while] the [Sunday blues] looks at the weekend like it's in the past," she explains. "Both tend to be ruminative in nature, and take you out of being present."
Anyone can be affected by the Sunday scaries, Manly says -- especially those who are burnt out, overly stressed, or in otherwise draining or unpleasant work situations. The weekly phenomenon isn't limited to those who have a clinical diagnosis for mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, but according to Manly, those individuals who do "may feel the Sunday scaries more intensely or frequently, due to the ongoing toll of the mental health issue." Along the same lines, the "Sunday scaries isn't itself a clinical diagnosis.
Finally, as Laura Erickson-Schroth, MD, a psychiatrist and chief medical officer of the The Jed Foundation points out, this feeling of anxiety and being overwhelmed isn't limited to Sundays: It can set in before returning to other tasks or activities on any day of the week. "For those with social anxiety, the day before a return to social interaction can be anxiety-inducing," she notes. And the Sunday scaries don't necessarily have to occur on a regular basis, either, says therapist Amira Johnson, LMSW. "For some, this anxious feeling may only happen every so often," she notes. "But for others, it becomes a constant mental worry that reoccurs every single week."
Sure, the Sunday scaries are a response to having to return to work, school, or another activity after the weekend (or another period of time off), but what, exactly, is causing all of this anxiety and dread? According to Dr. Erickson-Schroth, for some, these feelings stem from their personal time coming to a close. Manly agrees, noting that it's "often rooted in a natural desire to continue enjoying a relaxed, weekend pace."
Others are worried about their upcoming responsibilities. "Many people experience some level of anxiety or low mood as they transition back into work or school," Dr. Erickson-Schroth explains. "It requires taking on a different role, and sometimes, entering a separate 'brain space' to go from personal time to work or school time." Similarly, Manly says that a lot of people "simply aren't thrilled with the prospect of a busy, stress-filled workweek, so it makes perfect sense that feelings of unease and distress arise at the prospect of yet another chaotic week juggling work and life."
On top of that, Loo says that the Sunday scaries can be exacerbated by imagining the worst-case scenario for the week ahead, or not being confident in your ability to cope with potential stress successfully. But because the week has yet to happen, it's absolutely a matter of perspective. "Someone is way more likely to have Sunday scaries if they think, 'this week is going to be so stressful and awful,' versus someone who thinks 'I've got a lot happening this week, but I'll be okay,'" Loo explains.
Instead of trying to ignore or suppress those weekly Sunday blues, here are some expert-backed ways to manage unpleasant feelings instead (and actually enjoy your weekend).