You’re suddenly aware that Monday is looming, and you begin to feel a sense of dread.
Even if you enjoy your work, the anxiety can really bring down your day.
This weekend, plan ahead and nip those Sunday blues in the bud.
In a way, it feels like you’re prolonging the weekend.
But you might consider something a little more active than watching TV.
Of course, you could schedule fun activities alone, too.
But being social might help you get ready for being around people on Monday.
You could try volunteering, too.Volunteering can make people happy.
Also, when you volunteer, you’re usually in work mode.
It’s a great way to prepare for being at work without actually being there.
To combat this, do a little preparation on Friday before you leave work.
Go ahead and schedule or organize your tasks for Monday.
Knowing your Monday is planned can soften the blow of being thrust back into the work week.
Similarly, I sometimes schedule a small amount of work on Sunday.
We often schedule fun activities on Saturday and leave our chores and obligations for Sunday.
If you do this, try switching things around.
Chores might make you dread Sundays even more.
Plus, those dreadful activities might not be so bad when you do them on a Saturday.
That also makes for a better, more fulfilling experience, putting you in a great mood on Sunday.
If you have any control over your schedule, have a go at make Monday a low-key work day.
Of course, you might end up feeling quite productive that day.
In that case, you might always take on more work when that time comes.
Or maybe there’s a work task you really enjoy doing.
If so,schedule that task on Monday.
This way, you’ll have something to look forward to other than meetings and your usual busywork.
Consider Any Deeper Issues
There could be a deeper reason for your anxiety on Sunday.
For most of us, the Sunday blues are just a natural part of the week’s rhythm.
But if you’re dealing with a more complex issue, the blues can be downright depressing.
Maybe you hate your job and know it’s time to move on.
Psychology Today points out that the Sunday blues might evenstem from childhood anxietiesfor some of us.
Maybe you were ruthlessly bullied in school, and Mondays make you feel vulnerable and unsafe.
Maybe Sundays subtly remind you of custody issues with your parents.
In fact, this can help all of us.
But they’re days like any other, and there’s nothing inherently final about Sunday.
Thinking of the week in those terms might help shed the stigma associated with Sunday.
It’s only natural to feel a little down when the weekend is over.
Images by Nick Criscuolo,Piers Canadas,kellywritershouse,Sean Freese,Morgan,darcyadelaide.
