How to Help Employees Fight the Sunday Scaries

Sunday Work Anxiety

We’re living in a time when people are taking a step back to think about 9-to-5 jobs and 40-hour work weeks. Employees are examining their daily routines and thinking deeply about what really works for them. People are leaving unfulfilling jobs in favor of flexible positions that support a good work-life balance. The rhythms of office life that have been accepted for decades have now been disrupted, and things may never go back to the way they were before, at least not completely. 

One piece of office culture that’s stuck around through an entire pandemic and changing world? Stress. Throughout quarantine, of course, people’s stress and anxiety compounded, reaching a collective high. But an aspect of workplace stress that hasn’t budged is the term ‘Sunday Scaries.’ Let’s dive into this phenomenon and the ways you can help yourself and your team combat it!

What Are Sunday Scaries?

The term Sunday Scaries refers to the dread and anxiety one experiences the day before starting a new work week. If you relate to these feelings, you’re far from being alone—at least 80% of workers suffer from Sunday Scaries. Beyond anxiety and feelings of depression, this phenomenon can cause a myriad of physical symptoms, including stomach aches, headaches, cold sweats, and irritability.

Sunday Scaries can be experienced occasionally or consistently. A big Monday meeting or an excessively busy upcoming week can cause the odd stressful Sunday evening, but it’s common for people who get Sunday Scaries to feel anxious before every single workweek. Researchers believe that these anxieties are on the rise due to the effects of the pandemic, economic uncertainty, and burnout.

 

Are Sunday Scaries Real?

Yes, the Sunday Scaries are absolutely real. Several studies and surveys of employees have been conducted studying the phenomenon. So, if you relate, you’re certainly not alone. Sunday Scaries are as real as any anxiety, and feelings of anxiety and depression are always valid.

How to Help Your Employees Avoid Sunday Scaries

As an employer, caring for your employees’ wellness is a necessity. Workers are placing job satisfaction and work-life balance at the top of their priority list, so it’s crucial to show what your company values. And, likely, you experience Sunday Scaries yourself. That’s why we put together a list of ways you and your team can fight off Sunday Scaries!

Plan Better Sundays

One way to avoid feelings of dread on Sundays is to make them something to look forward to! Plan exciting outings or relaxing rewards for yourself that you only get to experience on Sundays. Another way to better your Sundays is to get all of your hardest, most unenjoyable chores out of the way on Saturday (or even earlier) so your Sunday is left wide open for having fun and resting.

Schedule Out Your Week 

If you’re feeling utterly overwhelmed, it can be helpful to break up your week into manageable chunks that feel less intimidating. Once you see that there is enough time to complete all of your tasks, you’ll feel more at ease. If a glance at your scheduled week makes it clear you won’t have enough time to finish everything, push some of your lower-priority tasks to the following week.

 

Keep Open Communication with Your Team 

Updating your team members and managers on your workload is key to avoiding Sunday Scaries. Ending each week feeling productive and accomplished helps you feel confident going into the following week. Make sure your team is aware of how much capacity you have so they can prioritize their requests—it’s all about setting boundaries around what you can manage. On the management side, keeping an open dialogue with your team helps them feel confident enough to manage their workload and to ask for help or extensions when needed.

Protect Your Work-Life Balance 

Having a work-life balance is all about keeping your home life separate from your job. Be sure to set clear boundaries around your working hours so your team members don’t send work requests during your personal time. Extend that same consideration to your team members and avoid messaging them during the evenings or on weekends.

Learn Calming Techniques 

Anxiety comes with many physical symptoms, and managing the stress in your body helps you feel better overall. Breathing techniques, calming music, gentle exercise, and participating in your favorite hobbies can help beat the Sunday Scaries. If stress is getting the better of you on a Sunday afternoon, go for a walk, cook your favorite meal, drink herbal tea, play with your dog, or hang out with a friend—do something you enjoy that occupies and calms your mind.

Shop Custom Self-Care Gifts

Show your team members you care with custom wellness gifts that support health, self-care, and relaxation. Get to know your employees’ interests so you can find meaningful branded wellness gifts that connect personally!

 

 

Contact Us

Looking for ways to show your team members you’re in their corner? Contact us at Merchology! We can help you find the perfect customized essential oil gifts, self-care accessories, cozy embroidered blankets, and comfy custom work apparel for your hard-working employees!