How To Battle The Sunday Night Blues

It's sad to see a good thing end, which is why most of us get a little down on Sundays.

You're suddenly aware that Monday is looming and you begin to feel a sense of dread.

German and Swedish researchers have determined that Sunday is statistically the least happy day of the week. Even if you enjoy school, the anxiety can really bring down your day.

This weekend, plan ahead and nip those Sunday blues in the bud. Here are a few ways that you can give your Sundays a little more sunshine.

1. Make Friday afternoon your new Monday morning.

Friday afternoon - when you're most excited about the weekend - is the perfect time to take care of all the annoying little assignments that will otherwise await you on Monday. Get yourself organised so that you can enjoy the weekend instead of worrying about the work week to come.

Clean out your messages and organise your space. Don't let unanswered emails hang over your head. Spend the last part of your day on Friday answering all your messages and cleaning out your inbox so that you can start fresh on Monday.

2. Say good-bye to your classmates and thank them on Friday.

Let your classmates know you appreciate any help they gave you during the week. If any tensions flared up, try to resolve them as best you can. Relationships are a huge part of what makes school enjoyable or uncomfortable. By making sure you leave your classmates on a high note, you can avoid the stress of worrying about seeing them on Monday.

3. Unplug your devices on Sunday.

Turn off your mobile and do not check your messages. It may be tempting to get a head start on the week by doing work on Sunday, but that can be counter-productive. Doing work on Sunday can cause you anxiety and stress, and not getting enough down time can actually cause you to be less productive. Taking time to recharge your batteries, on the other hand, can make you a happier, more productive worker. Those messages can wait until Monday.

4. Relax before bed.

While keeping busy is a good way to keep your mind off the blues, you'll want to start relaxing and winding down by 8pm so that you can recharge and get ready for Monday. Try creating a soothing Sunday night ritual that you can look forward to. And be sure to keep school-related items out of the bedroom so that you can relax properly.

If after adjusting your weekend routine, organising your Fridays, and trying to make Monday a fun day, you still suffer from the Sunday Night Blues, it is time to get professional guidance to help you explore the deeper causes of your negative feelings.

They might stem from experiences earlier in your life, such as fearing school on Mondays because you were bullied or had a learning disorder. Or, they might reflect unease with the type of work you do. A professional counsellor can help you talk through and, hopefully, resolve your negative feelings.

Sometimes Sunday night is too late to think about the Sunday Night Blues. The weekend is a time to reboot your mind and body to set yourself up for success throughout the week, so use it wisely!

If you or anyone you know needs help, support is available right now. Call Lifeline on 131 114 or Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.

For more information on counselling and treatment plans you can contact your school’s health services as well as the following organisations:

Beyond Blue

Headspace

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