Sunday Evening Anxiety? Here’s What Might Be Going On

Do you ever feel a wave of anxiety creeping in on Sunday evening? Interestingly my website gets the most hits on a Sunday night - a sign of such anxiety. If you feel that anxiety - you're not alone. The Sunday blues (or Sunday scaries) are real—81% of professionals in a study reported feeling stress as the weekend winds down. It’s that uneasy transition from weekend freedom to the structure of a new workweek.

Maybe it's the pressure of unfinished tasks, a packed schedule, or just the thought of switching gears. Whatever the cause, there are ways to ease into Monday without the dread.

Here are a few things that help:

✔ Identify the trigger. What exactly is making you anxious? A big project? Meetings? Unclear expectations? Knowing the underlying cause is the first step.

✔ Practice mindfulness. Stay present instead of spiraling into “what ifs” about the week ahead.

✔ Redefine Sunday. Plan something enjoyable—dinner with friends, a hobby, or a self-care ritual—so it’s not just a countdown to Monday.

✔ Do your planning before the weekend. If possible, wrap up your workweek on Friday with a plan for the week ahead. That way, Sunday stays free for rest, rather than feeling like a prep day.

✔ Set up a great Monday morning. Plan something that eases you into the week—a morning walk, some yoga or stretching, meditation, or journaling. A good start can set the tone for the rest of the week.

If the Sunday blues are a regular thing, maybe it’s worth exploring what’s really going on. Is it just a Sunday habit, or is there something bigger at play? A misalignment between work and what you actually want? A shift that’s needed?

If this resonates, I’d love to hear your thoughts. When have you had the Sunday blues and what did you do about it.