My Alzheimer's Journey
Part 62 - Sunday Scaries
Sunday depression, often called Sunday Scaries or Sunday Anxiety, is a feeling of anxiety, dread, and restlessness that creeps in on Sunday afternoons or evenings. The symptoms may include:
Racing thoughts
Irritability
Trouble sleeping
Overthinking about the week ahead
Sense of dread
For some people, Sunday Scaries is mild stress. You can shake the feeling off and not dwell on concerns about the week ahead. Other people experience depressive symptoms such as sadness, low motivation, and a sense of hopelessness.
If not managed properly, Sunday depression can become a cycle that extends beyond Sunday. The symptoms often include:
Chronic stress
Burnout
Sleep problems
Mood swings
Anxiety disorders
Sunday Scaries is more common in the United States than other countries. Americans have a culture that emphasizes the importance of work. A frequent conversation starter is, “What kind of work do you do?”.
Studies show Americans:
Take fewer vacation days than other countries
Face job related stress
Feel social pressure to always be productive
Often work more than one job or have side gigs
In my October 13, 2025 blog post, I talked about the link between depression and Alzheimer’s disease. There is also overwhelming evidence that depression can lead to a myriad of health problems. Simply put, chronic depression is bad.
Here are a few suggestions to make the Sunday Scaries go away:
Make Sunday Funday (get outside and enjoy nature, visit friends, watch or play sports, go to brunch, read a book, work on a hobby, etc)
Attend church if you are religious
Don’t check your work email
Take fifteen minutes to look at your Monday schedule (knowing what is ahead gives you a feeling of control)
Avoid any work related conversations with friends and family
Remember that Sunday anxiety is not a sign of weakness. Sunday anxiety is a real mental and emotional response to the stress of the world we live in.
Today, you have an opportunity to manage Sunday Scaries by saving money and helping Linda and me with our overwhelming medical and living expenses. Over the past several weeks, we have revamped Greg’s General Store. There are nearly 75 different products from top brands, including a few Sunday Funday items.
The store needs to be tested for bugs and errors. And, who better to do that than you!
From 12 noon until 12 midnight today, everything in the store is discounted 10%. The discount will appear in your shopping cart (the item price is not discounted).
All I ask is that you report your shopping experience by leaving a comment on this post.
Have a Funday everyone.