The anguish of Sunday afternoon is caused by the idea of ​​having to resume obligations after the weekend. Let's find out its effects together.
Last update: July 12, 2020
The anguish of Sunday afternoon is a rather widespread phenomenon. It is an inner discomfort that usually occurs on a Sunday afternoon or evening. Those affected feel discomfort, sadness, nostalgia, sometimes a very annoying sense of emptiness. And he doesn't understand why.
Sunday afternoon marks the transition between the week that ends and the week that begins. It means returning to face daily obligations. It also usually signals the end of the break and the beginning of a new cycle where you need to take responsibility again and take care of everything that needs to be done.
For some people, Sunday afternoon distress is so severe that it causes insomnia. Between Sunday and Monday they have difficulty sleeping and this increases their restlessness. Migraines, indigestion, or physical feelings of discomfort may also arise. Why is all this happening and how to deal with it? Let's see it together in this article.
“Sunday afternoon, an ideal time like no other; if you have a loved one next to you, you will feel the need to open your heart to her. "
-Jane Austen-
Origins of the anguish of Sunday afternoon
Sunday afternoon distress is also known as the Sunday syndrome. It can affect people from all countries, all ages and from all walks of life. This problem was first detected in 2006 by the American psychologist Larina Kase. Kase has done several researches at the University of Pennsylvania Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety.
Studies by Kase and her research group indicate that the main cause of Sunday afternoon anxiety is some degree of job dissatisfaction. Those who suffer from this discomfort usually have unresolved issues in the workplace or in working life in general.
Some just don't like their jobs, they don't like what they do and so they perceive the start of the week as the beginning of torture. Others experience this distress due to tensions in the workplace, for example following discussions with colleagues or superiors; at the beginning of the week the tension starts again.
Other common causes
There are also people who doubt their working skills, perhaps because they are not sure that they can complete their tasks on time or that they can complete them correctly. Starting a new week means renewing that feeling of insecurity and / or incompetence.
Likewise, discomfort occurs in those who are out of work. For them, the start of the week represents another chapter in this uncertain struggle to find employment. In them, it is precisely the uncertainty of not knowing whether or not they will be successful that triggers the anguish of Sunday afternoon. After the weekend break, they have to face the harsh reality again.
Finally, there are those who cannot rest properly, either because they work too much or because they are forced to spend their rest time on demanding activities, such as a second job, a course of study or housework. It is frustrating to end the weekend without rest and on Sunday afternoons they feel the full weight of the frenetic pace of their life.
How to avoid the anguish of Sunday afternoon
On Sunday afternoons we tend to face our reality more aggressively than on other occasions. Loneliness, frustration and unmet expectations parade before our eyes. Many times, without being aware of it, we end up making an introspection or avoiding it. Precisely this at the end of the day sows the germ of anguish.
- Organize the activities to be carried out on Monday as early as Friday afternoon. This eases the weekend transition and Sundays won't just be dedicated to work.
- Enjoy Sunday. We are not talking about being inactive, but about dedicating Sundays to doing the activities we love and that make us feel good.
- Choose a relaxing activity at the end of the day. A good book or a good movie will help you manage your anxiety better.
Don't forget that the way out is not to avoid introspection when you have problems, but the opposite. We may also need professional help to digest and manage unpleasant emotions. Other times, however, it is only necessary to put some pieces in place or make the right decisions.
