It’s Sunday night at 8 p.m., and your heart is:
a. Fluttering because someone special just fixed you a sumptuous and romantic supper.
b. Thumping with anticipation because Desperate Housewives is about to come on and you can’t wait to find out what’s happening on Wisteria Lane.
c. Pounding because you are totally freaked out by the thought of another stressful workweek.
If you answered c, it sounds like you have a classic case of the Sunday Night Blues. It’s the heart-pounding, anxious feeling produced by the impending dread of leaving the weekend behind and returning to work on Monday.
It’s normal to feel some letdown as the weekend winds to a close and you begin to think about another frantic workweek. But all-out panic may be a sign that you need to change how your weekends are run. Here, some day-by-day weekend tips to help you stave off the Sunday shudders.
1. Friday
Whether your workweek was good or bad, finish up your Friday by taking stock of what you did accomplish. Then make a list of things to tackle right off the bat on Monday morning—voice mails or emails to follow up on and details you don’t want to forget. Reminding yourself of what you need to do next week before leaving the office will help you to worry less during your time off. Also, on Friday make a list of things you want to do over the weekend. This includes the big sale at your favorite boutique as well as the piles of laundry. Staying semi-organized will help keep you from waking up on Sunday morning with a headache and a massive to-do list.
2. Saturday
Relax by sleeping in or hitting your favorite coffee shop for a latte. Then sit down on the couch and … pay your bills?! You don’t have to mix business with pleasure all weekend, but do vow to get something organizational (bills, laundry, groceries, cleaning) done on Saturday. It’s one less thing to do on Sunday, plus there are ways to make it fun: Shop for the week and pick up the ingredients to make chocolate chip cookies. Cross a couple of things off your list and then carry on with your weekend fun—which will be much more enjoyable if you’ve tackled at least part of your to-do list.
