Do you find yourself wasting more of your Sunday trying to figure out what to do rather than actually getting anything done?

Do you feel like your weekend responsibilities have piled up at the last minute?

Is the final day of your weekend full of dread instead of relaxation?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be suffering from a case of the Sunday Scaries.

The Sunday Scaries, also known as the Sunday blues, is the feeling of anxiety or dread of having to go back to work or school the next day. 

According to a LinkedIn survey, 80% of Americans are worried about the upcoming work week.

Gen Z is the most likely of any other generation to feel this apprehension, with 94% feeling the Sunday blues.

Maybe it’s the hangxiety or maybe it’s the daunting week looming ahead, but the Sunday Scaries can ruin a perfectly good day. Use these tips to make the most of your weekend.

Tie up loose ends

Set up your weekend for success before it even starts by finishing up your responsibilities at the end of the school/work week.

Of course, this is easier said than done, especially with hectic schedules and heavy work loads.

But, if you have 15 minutes on Friday afternoon to catch up on emails or an hour to finish up your last assignment, bite the bullet and do it before you start your weekend festivities. I know it’s tempting, but the bar will still be there when you’re done.

This might be particularly difficult for all of the chronic procrastinators out there (myself included,) but having your responsibilities taken care of will allow you to be more present for your weekend and enjoy yourself more overall. Plus, you can get to bed earlier on Sunday night.

Set work boundaries

In the age of quiet quitting, this one might be a bit controversial, but it’s important to create a healthy work/life balance.

Unless you’re getting paid to do so, don’t burn yourself out with extra work or work-related emails off the clock. 

If you’re in the position to do so, set boundaries with your workplace so you can recharge for your next shift.

Unfortunately, as a student, you can’t just ignore your professors or their assignments just because it’s a weekend. But, you can show yourself a little grace here and there. The occasional C in a pile of A’s won’t kill your chances of graduating, but it might make for a more memorable weekend.

Make your Monday less… Monday

Everybody hates Mondays, and that’s what makes Sundays even worse. 

So, theoretically speaking, if you make your Monday suck a little less, your final weekend day shouldn’t be so bad, right?

By starting your Monday with something you enjoy, Sunday evenings might bring more excitement than dread.

Maybe it’s a trip to your favorite coffee shop, the newest episode of your favorite podcast or wearing a cuter outfit than normal, but having something to look forward to each week could help beat your Sunday blues.

Make ‘to-do’ and ‘have-done’ lists

The anxiety a Sunday so graciously provides often results in feelings of inadequacy, especially when it comes to work or school.

There’s a lot to get done, so organizing everything you need to do into a tangible list can help you clear your head and make a game plan.

At the same time, make a list of previous work or school accomplishments. Remembering your abilities can help you become more confident and stop yourself from sweating the small stuff.

Odds are, getting to where you are took getting through some seriously scary Sundays.

Be proud of yourself for not only getting through the week, but the weeks before. If you did it before, you can do it now.