I know we’ve all experienced the Sunday scaries in one form or another. You may have even experienced them without truly knowing what they even are. I have learned (the hard way) how to prevent the Sunday scaries best for me, and I want to share what works so you don’t have to go through quite as much trial and error as I did. What is Sunday Scaries?
What is Sunday Scaries?
Basically, the Sunday scaries are “a form of anticipatory anxiety, the Sunday scaries involves nervousness and dread about something that hasn’t happened yet: the week ahead.” — as according to Healthline.
You know how I just mentioned this post would save you time on trial and error for dealing with the Sunday scaries? Well, that is true for the most part, but I also want to mention that Sunday scaries are completely different for everyone. We all react to stress and anxiety differently, and we all cope differently. I do think it can help to read about others’ experiences and get ideas for some strategies.
How to Prevent Sunday Scaries + How to Prepare for a Great Week
I think it’s really important to remember that you don’t have to “work” for your rest on Sundays. I never try to live by the idea that I have to earn rest on any day but especially on Sundays.
Some of these things below may sound like work, but they can actually be really relaxing. It can be difficult to find a good balance of setting yourself up for a productive week and doing anything to create a more peaceful reaction to that anticipatory stress we mentioned, but I have found a really good balance for myself using the tactics below.
Don’t Sleep In
Okay, okay, I am starting off on a controversial note. I am telling you, waking up at a normal time on Sundays makes all the difference in helping me feel like I am getting the most out of my weekend. Chances are you can’t stay up that late on Sunday night (on account of work the next day), so waking up before noon is a huge way to see the most of your Sunday.
We try waking up between 7 and 7:30 on Sunday mornings, and I can’t tell you how nice it is! There’s no worry about sleeping the day away or missing out on your valuable weekend time.
Establish a Routine
Every Sunday can’t look the same. We all have events, duties and other things to tie us up every now and then (or most of the time for some), but I think it’s so important to find something to anchor your day—and week—around.
For example, we always try to be both home and together by 6 on Sundays. It doesn’t always happen, but we really try to make it a priority. We also usually go to the same pizza restaurant together on Sunday nights, and it’s a great thing to look forward to! We also usually watch a show on the couch together and just really get a good chat in.
Go for a walk, go to church, make breakfast, bake some sweet treats for the week, read for a few hours- the options are limitless.
Order Groceries or Meal Delivery
Ah, this is one of my happy moments. Nothing is more fun and satisfying for me than ordering our groceries for the week.
I usually try to keep my cart open in a tab throughout the week so I can easily add those everyday essentials we find we’re running out of. Then I like to sit down on Sundays and actually look at the meals we want to make for the week and what we have going on for the eating front.
Get out those dusty cookbooks you haven’t looked at in forever and spend some time looking through them. I think you will be surprised by just how inspired it can leave you! If you are looking for some new cookbooks, I swear by all of these!
Self-care is Always the Answer
The game totally changed for me when I got intentional about self-care on Sundays. I’ve got a little routine down, and I always look forward to it now. I’m by no means a beauty blogger, so this is not the place for a 12-step beauty routine. I use these three things every single Sunday though,
I hope this post gives you even a slightly better grasp on tackling the Sunday Scaries! These tasks and routines have helped me so much, and I can see a dramatic difference in my spirit after a few months of steadily deploying them.
