The Sunday Scaries: When Rest Meets Reality

Dr. Sharon H. Beatty
Jan 18
2 min read

Editor's Note

This reflection is part of an ongoing effort to normalize emotional experiences that often go unnamed—especially among individuals who are high-functioning, responsible, and accustomed to carrying a great deal. If Sunday evenings feel heavier for you, know that you are not alone, and your experience deserves care rather than judgment.

By Dr. Sharon Hazel Beatty, LCMHC / The Rose of Sharon Counseling Services

Sunday is supposed to feel like a pause….

A reset

A breath before the week begins again.

And yet, for many people, Sunday afternoon and evening bring something else entirely…

This experience is often referred to as the Sunday Scaries, A commonly used nonclinical term that describes the anticipatory anxiety many people feel as the weekend ends and the work week approaches.

For some, it shows up in the body before it ever becomes a thought….

It brings uneasiness, tension, restlessness, or a quiet sense of dread, a tight chest, a knot in the stomach, and difficulty relaxing. Irritability, or emotional heaviness that shows up without being invited.

This experience is often called the Sunday Scaries, and it’s far more common than most people realize.

For others, it sounds like:

“I can’t stop thinking about Monday.”

“I didn’t get enough rest, and now the weekend is almost over.”

“I already feel behind—and the week hasn’t even started.”

Even after a good weekend, the anxiety still arrives. And when it does, many people begin to judge themselves for feeling it—wondering why they can’t simply enjoy their rest or feel grateful for what they have.

The truth is, the Sunday Scaries are not a weakness. They are often a response.

They tend to show up when there is tension between who you are, what you carry, and what is expected of you during the week. For professionals, caregivers, helpers, and high-functioning adults, Sunday can become less about rest and more about mentally preparing to push through another demanding week.

Instead of asking, “What’s wrong with me?” a more compassionate question might be, “What is my body trying to communicate?

”The Sunday Scaries may be signaling emotional exhaustion, the need for deeper rest, misalignment between values and demands, or stress that has gone unprocessed for far too long. These feelings are not a failure of resilience, faith, or gratitude. They are information.

You are not weak because Sundays feel hard. You are human.

Sometimes the most caring thing we can do is stop fighting the feeling and start paying attention to it. Your body and mind are not working against you—they are asking to be heard.

A Gentle Invitation

If the Sunday Scaries are becoming a regular part of your week—affecting your sleep, mood, or sense of peace—it may be time to explore additional support. Therapy offers a space to slow down, listen more closely to what your body and emotions are communicating, and develop healthier ways to navigate stress and transition.

You do not have to carry everything alone. Support is available, and help-seeking can be an act of strength.