Sunday scaries

Sunday scaries, also known as the Sunday syndrome, Sunday blues, or Sunday evening feeling, refer to the anticipatory anxiety and dread that commonly occur on Sundays for employees as the weekend ends, and the workweek resume on Monday.^[1][2] The sinking feeling of malaise may begin Sunday morning before peaking in the evening.^[3][4]

The disquiet may arise from avoidance motivation stress of mental preparation for the upcoming week's workload, processing the prior week's workload, and the challenge of maintaining work–life balance.^[5][3][6][7] Younger workers are more likely to be afflicted as they acclimate to the workforce.^[8]

The feeling contributes to the blue Mondays and that Mondays have the highest suicide rates.^[9] People suffering from acute Sunday scaries may benefit from a change in employment.^[10][11] Some people engage in bare minimum Monday to address the Sunday scaries.^[12]

See also

• Critique of work
• Four-day workweek

References

1. Hess, AJ (February 22, 2024). "It's not just you. Sunday scaries are common—but beatable". Fast Company. Archived from the original on May 29, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
2. Degges-White, Suzanne (October 26, 2015). "Sunday Syndrome: Mourning the Weekend That Got Away". Psychology Today. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
3. "What Are the 'Sunday Scaries'?". Cleveland Clinic. December 7, 2021. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
4. Pinsker, Joe (February 9, 2020). "Why People Get the 'Sunday Scaries'". The Atlantic. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
5. Heubeck, Elizabeth (April 18, 2024). "Teachers, Tame the 'Sunday Scaries'". Education Week. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
6. Hylton-Jean, Emily (June 1, 2024). "5 Ways to Overcome the Sunday Scaries". Psychology Today. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
7. Stone, Lillian (December 26, 2023). "Ten work buzzwords that took over in 2023". BBC. Archived from the original on January 20, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
8. Mejia, Zameena (January 28, 2019). "5 ways to get over the 'Sunday Scaries' according to psychologists and mindfulness experts". CNBC. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 13, 2024. [Younger workers] haven't had years to get past the mental rebellion that often accompanies return to work.These younger workers, many who spend hours more on tasks like email, are often still developing strateges [sic] to balance their work and personal lives. Weekends are a time of rejuvenation and rest, something most people look forward to throughout the week. Sunday is typically perceived as an end of this free time, provoking feelings of anxiety about the week ahead.
9. Spicer, André (March 19, 2023). "The 'Sunday scaries' are all too real for many workers – but there are simple ways to help". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
10. Lastoe, Stacey (October 30, 2016). "When Your Sunday Scaries Aren't a Joke". The Muse. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved June 13, 2024.
11. Madell, Robin; Ortiz, Jennifer (June 26, 2023). "Why You Feel the Sunday Scaries and How to Beat Them". On Careers. U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
12. Tong, Goh Chiew (April 18, 2023). "You've probably had the Sunday scaries. To beat them, consider 'bare minimum Mondays'". CNBC. Archived from the original on April 23, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2024.