Home LivingWellnessSleep7 ways to cope with Sunday night anxietyHow to beat the Sunday scaries & start your week off rightWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Home LivingWellnessSleep7 ways to cope with Sunday night anxietyHow to beat the Sunday scaries & start your week off rightWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
How to beat the Sunday scaries & start your week off right
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Liza Summer / Pexels)
(Image credit: Liza Summer / Pexels)
It’s Sunday night, you’ve just had a relaxing fun weekend with friends and family. But then it hits you: tomorrow is Monday aka time to go back to work. Sunday night anxiety or the ‘Sunday scaries’ is something many people experience and is a form ofanticipatory anxiety.
It’s not unusual to feel apprehensive, stressed or scared about the week ahead. In some cases, people with Sunday night anxiety will experience anxiety symptoms like restlessness, irritability and stomach issues. Sunday night anxiety isn’t as uncommon as some might think, and there are many reasons you might be feeling this way. For example, you might have a busy week ahead, your job is stressful at the moment or your home-work balance is off.
If you tend to worry on a Sunday (or any day), here are 7 things you can do to ease your feelings of anxiety and start off your week feeling happy, productive and stress-free. It’s important to note that if your anxiety feels like it’s getting too much, speak to your GP or a counsellor, but the following tips can help the ‘Sunday scaries’ feel more manageable.
1. Check in with yourself
2. Have a Sunday reset
(Image credit: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels)
(Image credit: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels)
3. Get active
Exercising or going outside for fresh air can make a world of difference to your mood, especially if you’re feeling anxious. Exercise like running, hitting the gym orfollowing an energising yoga flowproduces endorphins which release and reduce stress, as well as improving general wellbeing. If you’d prefer to get outside for a Sunday walk, this helps you feel refreshed and delivers a boost of serotonin due to sunlight. Getting active also improves your sleep as it encourages your body to shut down and recover properly.
4. Prioritise sleep
Having a good night’s sleep on thebest mattressis important for your physical and mental health, so you should make this a priority on Sunday night. Stick to a comforting bedtime routine and try to get the optimal amount of hours you need so you feel refreshed the next day. Sunday is also a perfect time to change your bedding so strip your bed and remake it with thebest sheets. If you struggle to sleep due to stress, check out these6 ways to sleep better when you’re anxious.
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5. Avoid alcohol
To keep Sunday night anxiety at bay, refrain from drinking alcohol. While alcohol can make you feel sleepy, it lowers your sleep quality and disrupts your sleep cycle, which can lead to a rough start to the week. Alcohol can also increase feelings of anxiety and panic, which isn’t what you need if you’re already feeling stressed. If you really want a drink, try a soft drink that’s packed full of flavour or give these9 alcohol-free drinksa go.
(Image credit: Getty Images)
(Image credit: Getty Images)
6. Set aside time to relax
Similar to adding fun things into your Sunday reset plan, take time to relax! If you’re feeling anxious, chances are you don’t want to do anything strenuous to make your stress any worse. Instead, set time aside for yourself for some much needed self-care. Popular ways to relax and calm your nerves are meditating, having a bath, reading, cooking a wholesome meal or using thebest essential oilsto create a relaxing atmosphere.
7. Prepare for the week ahead
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