Anticipatory stress plagues many of us. We worry about the next bill cycle; we worry about the kids we don’t yet have; and we even worry about our worries. At times, before the week has even ended, we may get worried about the week ahead. This specific kind of anticipatory stress is called, “the Sunday Scaries.”
There have been times when I have been overwhelmed with the coming week. As a student, employee, and part-time small business owner—life can get hectic. On Sunday nights it’s easy to get ahead of yourself and start anticipating the coming stress. But, research shows that there are some ways to mitigate these unwanted Sunday blues.
Refocus Your Sunday Evenings
What if you created a different thought pattern on Sunday nights? Rather than thinking about all your concerns and fears, what if you thought of the good that could come in the coming week? Then, you’d be eagerly anticipating the coming week rather than trying to fight it off.
But, what are the good things you can anticipate?
There’s a science behind giving. When you give to someone else, your brain lights up in the same places as it would if you had received a gift. Giving often leads to a chain reaction of good deeds.
Years ago, I worked at Chick-fil-A. As I was opening the store one day, a man came through and handed me a 100 dollar bill. He asked that I spend it on as many customers as possible that came through after him. That 100 dollars turned into seven paid-for meals for strangers.
Because this stranger paid for those meals, the beneficiaries in turn paid for the people behind them. The chain of “paying it forward” lasted from 6:00 am until 11:00 am. Simply witnessing the chain reaction made my day. It’s a day that I’ll always remember.
Plan to Give and Serve in the New Week
In like manner, when we plan to give—we scare away our anxieties for the week. Can you imagine how we might feel differently on Sunday nights if we had plans to serve people in our community, at our jobs, and in our family? Might our anticipation turn from worry to excitement?
Implementing Build Then Bless at your company is the easiest, quickest way to help your employees fight off the Sunday Scaries. Having worked at Lemonade Stand for over a year and a half, I can honestly say that I no longer experience that feeling of overwhelm. I think there are many reasons for this. Between a good culture built around giving to others and the actual opportunities to serve—Build Then Bless has provided a way to give back and break the cycle of anxiety.
Shift Your Mindset
The Sunday Scaries may never go away completely, but they can be managed with positive thoughts and acts of kindness. By shifting our mindset from worry to anticipation for opportunities to give, we can overcome the fear and stress that Sundays often bring. Give it a try and see how the new week goes!
