How To Save Yourself From The Sunday Blues
Do Sundays leave you feeling a little blue? Many people experience a wide range of emotions on Sunday: irritability, unease, feeling anxious, and dread for the impending Monday. What you are really experiencing is anticipatory anxiety. Which can be described as having feelings or fear or worry around things that have not happened.
For those who work during the week, weekends are a chance to recharge and manage stress, so you're prepared for the new week. But sadly, many people struggle to switch off and carry their weekday worries into the weekend. That's definitely not the recipe for a relaxing and revitalizing time.
Below are some of the suggested activities you can do over the weekend. They are known to be effective stress-busters for a much improved stress management weekend campaign.
Read a Book
If you like reading or find this activity to be stress relieving, why not use your time on the weekends to sit back, relax, and enjoy a good read? By reading, you can re-focus your attention onto the subject of the book you are reading and away from anything that is presently causing you stress, whether it be a deadline you have to meet at work or some projects at school.
You can sit on a relaxing chair or lounger while reading a book. If possible, do this in your patio or in the garden wherein you can enjoy a lot of fresh air for a truly relaxing experience. Plus, reading is also considered as a healthy habit that you must cultivate all the time!
Here are a few very memorable books that I have loved.
Pamper Yourself
The kind of pampering that you must treat yourself to during weekends can vary according to your own personal definition of pampering. For one person, it means a trip to the salon for a relaxing foot spa and pedicure, while for others it can be working out in the gym. Find out what your own brand of pampering is and do just that on the weekend to effectively manage stress.
Do Something New
Weekdays often force you to follow a routine. And since not all people like being forced into a routine, this can also contribute to the stress you are experiencing on a daily basis, aside from the stress that comes with the actual work. Hence, do something new on the weekend! Try to be a tourist in your own town, take a class such as flower arranging or a dance class, call a friend, strap on skates and get to rolling – the whole point in all this is to expose yourself to new environments and activities for a fresh perspective!
Massage
This is the number one reliable stress buster and must not be missing in your weekend stress management technique. You can then set a weekend appointment with a professional masseur for a relaxing day of massage. This is good not only for relaxing your body, but also your mind, which is why it is a very effective stress buster. Don't have the time or funds for a massage? I found the BEST at home massage tool.
I first came across this gem at my mom's house. As a former Physical Therapist she always has fun tools but this one beats all others! Finally a massage tool that works without the need of someone else.
Have Fun Indoors
You do not need to go out of the house for weekend stress management. You can simply stay at home and enjoy a movie in your living room. The whole idea is to create a relaxing ambiance wherein you can unwind and not think of anything else.
If you have a traditional job with a two day weekend I suggest using some of Saturday to get your household work caught up. Start planning for the week ahead on the first day of your weekend. Getting the laundry going, the grocery shopping completed and any cooking or baking prep on Saturday will alleviate some of the Sunday stress buildup. On Sunday I recommend not cooking unless it's something that relaxes you. Eat on paper plates so you don't have to clean your kitchen.
If you are looking to get better stress management, choose from any of the above activities to face the new week ahead with a rejuvenated mind and body!
So, what have you planned for the weekend?
