It’s 4:00 p.m. on a Sunday. You have about five chapters of readings to catch up on and an exam in three days. Yesterday’s football game tailgate has drained you of your energy, and you’re right at that critical point where you’re regretting everything you did from the night before. Maybe you’ve even plunged yourself into a fun little existential crisis. Trust me, I’ve been there. If this scenario seems at all familiar, you have probably experienced this phenomenon before — the Sunday Scaries.
If you are a college student, chances are you are aware of what the Sunday Scaries are. For those who aren’t, the Sunday Scaries is that feeling you get at the end of a long weekend of partying, tailgating, traveling or just having fun with friends where you snap back into reality. Your responsibilities as a student or employee that you spent the entire weekend trying to forget about come flooding back to you, breeding anxiety and regret. You remember that you have another long week ahead of you and you need to prepare for it. Of course, this feeling is at times unavoidable unless you’ve spent the weekend being productive and getting your life together — hats off to you. For those of you who haven’t, do not fret. I’ve compiled a list of activities you can do to get rid of those Sunday Scaries and remind yourself that the upcoming week is simply that — just another week. It’s okay to relax and have your moment before we start the whole damn thing over again, so just take it one activity at a time.
- Clean your room
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At the start of my weekend, my room always looks spotless. Suddenly, I place one t-shirt on my floor instead of back in my dresser, and, in a blink of an eye, it’s Sunday and it looks as if a tornado has just blasted through my room. I’ve found that cleaning my room at the end of a long weekend always makes me feel as though I have a little piece of my life put back together. It can be fun too — blast some music, play your favorite show on Netflix, or call a friend and get it done little by little. Having a clean space can help you have a clearer mind.
- go on a run or walk
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It’s always a good idea to get your endorphins pumping and your heart racing. In the midst of the Sunday Scaries, this may be the last thing on Earth you want to do. Trust me — you will never not thank yourself for going outside and sweating. You don’t have to act like you’re training for a marathon. A nice brisk walk can help clear your mind and get your blood flowing.
- plan out your week
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Although it may seem overwhelming to have to go through everything you must do in the upcoming week, it can also provide some peace of mind. By writing things down in a planner and coming up with an idea of where you’ll be each day, you may realize that you have less to do than you originally thought. Your responsibilities may start to seem a little less daunting than they had before when they were all scrambled in your brain and unorganized. Having a game plan for your week can prevent feeling like you’re being thrown into it haphazardly. If you take control of your schedule now, you won’t have to do it when you’re at your wit’s end.
- indulge in your comfort
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Whether this means watching your favorite movie that you have seen a thousand times or listening to your favorite podcast, find something that feels comforting and familiar to you and enjoy it. After all, this is your last day of relaxation before you must start being a productive student again. Remember that it’s okay to take a moment to relax. You’re not being lazy or careless by taking some time to yourself and just existing in peace and comfort. Self-care is important and may help you center yourself before a long week.
- call your loved ones
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Every Sunday, I make an effort to call one of my family members. Usually, this is my sister, my mom or both. I tend to feel quite anxious on Sundays, and touching base with my family reminds me that I always have at least a few people in my corner rooting for my well-being and success. Lean on your friends and family in times of discomfort — chances are they’ll be thrilled to hear from you. Hold that little conversation with you throughout the week and just remember that you are loved and supported, and you can tackle the challenges in front of you.