The “Sunday Scaries”: Why Anxiety Spikes Before the Week Begins
If you’ve ever felt a wave of anxiety on Sunday afternoon or evening, you’re not alone.
The “Sunday Scaries” are a common experience where anxiety builds as the weekend comes to an end and the workweek approaches.
What causes anticipatory anxiety
This type of anxiety is driven by anticipation — your mind trying to prepare for what’s coming.
You may notice:
Thinking about everything you need to do
Worrying about upcoming responsibilities
Feeling a sense of dread or pressure
Difficulty relaxing
Your brain is trying to get ahead of the week — but it can become overwhelming.
Why it feels so intense
Transitions can be hard for the nervous system.
Going from rest to responsibility quickly can trigger stress, especially if your week feels demanding or unpredictable.
How to ease the Sunday Scaries
Helpful strategies include:
Creating a gentle Sunday routine
Planning your week in small steps
Limiting over-scheduling
Giving yourself something to look forward to
Small changes can make the transition feel more manageable.
How therapy helps
Therapy can help you:
Reduce anticipatory anxiety
Shift your relationship with work stress
Build coping tools for transitions
Create more balance in your week
You deserve to start your week without dread.
