As the weekend winds down and the workweek looms ahead, it’s not uncommon to experience feelings of overwhelm and anxiety — commonly known as the Sunday Night Blues.

If you’re someone who suffers with this pre-Monday angst, the good news is that there are simple steps you can take to feel better right away:

1. HYDRATE.

Since weekends often include heavy foods, alcohol, running around outside, workouts, etc., doubling down on your water intake on Sunday nights is a great idea. Start sipping on your water bottle by Sunday afternoon to get your body feeling back on track.

2. LIMIT ALCOHOL.

While it might be tempting to calm your nerves with beer or wine, alcohol can actually worsen feelings of anxiety or depression and make your Monday morning feel even more painful. Instead, try an herbal tea like chamomile, peppermint or ginger, all of which soothe your stomach and can ease anxiety symptoms.

3. MEDITATE.

Take a few minutes to quiet your mind and calm your whole body down. If you’re not a regular meditator, try an app like Headspace or Calm to lead you through a short guided meditation. And then keep the practice going during the week to stay centered and grounded.

4. JOURNAL STRATEGICALLY.

Sit down with a pen and paper (or your laptop) and make two lists:

(1) Everything to be done this week — get it all out of your head and down on paper to stop your brain from spiraling and to give you more of a sense of control.

(2) A list of things you’re looking forward to this week — dinner with a friend, a movie you’re going to see, date night, your favorite workout class. Anything that gives you a sense of happiness about the week ahead. And if nothing comes to mind, take it as a cue to schedule something right away.

5. TUCK IN EARLY.

Make getting to bed at a decent hour a top priority. Don’t be tempted to squeeze every last minute out of your weekend; instead, start winding down early with a bath, a book, a cup of tea – and then lights out! You’ll feel that much better in the AM.

 

Do you deal with Sunday night blues? How do you cope? Share your wisdom in the comments below and help others!