Dreading Monday?

Everybody’s working for the weekend, and it makes sense. Two whole days to do what we want, and that freedom feels so good — until Sunday night shows up.

As the last few hours of the weekend tick away, do you feel a little cheated because that short stretch of “me time” is over? Or are you overwhelmed by feelings of dread as the responsibilities of a new week close in?

Another way we can overcome these aspects in our life is the overall picture:

Make Sundays more exciting.

Even though it’s the coming week that scares you, making Sunday night enjoyable can help relieve some of your distress. Thoughts of the week ahead may not distract you as easily when you’re having fun.

Try these tips for a more restful Sunday:

• Do the worst first. Don’t leave the worst chores until the end of the weekend. Get those things done Saturday morning (or Friday night if you’re really ambitious). Leave the remaining time for fun and relaxation.
• Pace yourself. Try doing a few chores and errands during the week. You will feel more comfortable in a relaxing weekend.
• Make it exclusive. Dedicate Sunday to relaxing activities only, whether that’s heading to a yoga class, going for a long hike, or curling up with a good book.
• Treat yourself. Plan a special treat for yourself on Sunday evening, like ordering takeout from your favorite restaurant.
• Make Mondays a special occasion. Schedule things you look forward to, like a video call with distant friends, for Monday to take the edge off some of the dread.
• Log off. Ignore work-related texts and emails, if possible — turning off your phone can help. If you’re off the clock, stay off, unless an emergency comes up.

Making a habit of prioritizing relaxation during your free time can help reduce Sunday stress and better equip you to face the demands of your week.