Sponsored by Virtua Health
It’s a dark and stormy Sunday evening. You’re sitting on your couch when all of a sudden...the hair rises on your arms. Your palms start to sweat. Your mind races with thoughts of all the frightening things you must face this week.
Dun, dun, dun! The Sunday Scaries strike again.
Frightening feelings are not exclusive to Halloween. The Sunday Scaries are those anxious feelings that happen every Sunday as you prepare for the upcoming week. While they may come out of sadness that the weekend is over or stress about the upcoming week, the Sunday Scaries can haunt you all year long.
However, the Sunday Scaries are not a vampire or a wicked witch. They are real feelings that you can experience and overcome. Luckily, our friends at Virtua Health have made a list of tips and tricks to help you combat this phenomenon.
Tip 1: Don't spend your entire Sunday running errands
We all know there is nothing more terrifying than a packed grocery store parking lot on a Sunday morning. Leaving all your laundry, shopping, and cleaning for Sunday will make you dread the day even more and will limit the amount of time you can take for yourself. Splitting up your errands over the course of the week will make your Sundays feel less like a trick and more like a treat!
Tip 2: Unplug from social media
While it's hard to choose your Halloween costume, it can be even harder to put your phone down. However, it’s important to remember that the Sunday Scaries thrive when you are doomscrolling. If you can detach from your phone and be more present in your day-to-day interactions, the Sunday Scaries won’t stand a chance.
Tip 3: Make time to do something you enjoy
Whether it’s getting a pumpkin spice latte or watching your favorite fall-themed show (I’m looking at you, Gilmore Girls), it’s really important to engage in activities that bring you joy. Filling your Sundays with things you love will take your mind off your worries and will associate the day with positive feelings instead of dread.
Tip 4: Make sure you have time for self-care
If you can carve pumpkins, you can carve out time for self-care! Self-care is essential because the Sunday Scaries thrive when you are burned out and overwhelmed. Recharge by walking outside or meditating for fifteen minutes. It’s not being selfish - it’s actively practicing wellness.
Tip 5: Utilize your support system
Who you gonna call? Your support system! Whether it’s a family member, friend, or neighbor, the Sunday Scaries are less intimidating when you acknowledge them with a trusted person by your side.
Remember, if stress, anxiety, and the Sunday Scaries start to feel too overwhelming, our friends at Virtua Health are in your corner! You can connect with the primary care team, who can help connect you to mental health resources, support your overall well-being, and create a plan that actually fits your life.
You May Also Like:
Follow Philly's B101
X | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | TIKTOK | THREADS
Follow Virtua Health
X | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
