The feeling of anxiety that comes with the start of another workweek has been dubbed “Sunday Scaries.” This phenomenon is experienced by many people who dread the thought of returning to work, even if it is not on a Sunday. In a recent study conducted by Currys, it was found that over half of the 1500 Britons surveyed admitted to suffering from Sunday Scaries. The study also delved into the different stressors that cause this anxiety.
The biggest Sunday anxiety stressor was the fear that the boss wants to talk, which was a concern for more than a third of those surveyed. This fear could be caused by an out-of-context text or email that calls into question the conversation around workplace boundaries. Another stressor that figured highly on the list was overdue deadlines, which accounted for 27% of the participants. The survey also listed “Colleagues Oversharing,” “Imposter Syndrome,” and the sound of a “Teams/Slack Notification” as other potential stressors.
Interestingly, the third most common stressor on the list was “Going into the Office,” which worried almost a quarter of employees. Due to the pandemic, many people started working from home, and the need to return to the office may cause considerable anxiety for many. Recent statistics suggest that nearly a quarter of employees continue to work hybrid, which could also be a factor in keeping security teams up at night because of more endpoints to protect.
However, with some officials suggesting that office working should be “default,” this percentage may increase over time. Searches for “work from home jobs” have increased by 110% over the past 12 months, according to Google trends, indicating that many people prefer working from home.
Currys also sought the help of an experienced cognitive behavioral therapist and mental health writer, Navit Schechter, to address those suffering from work-related anxieties in the long term. She recommends being honest with oneself about the problem and seeking to find a solution to help deal with it in the long run.
Therefore, if an individual feels overwhelmed with everything they are expected to do, their role doesn’t fulfill them, there are unclear expectations, there is not enough support, or they work with difficult personalities. They can speak with their managers if they are given too much work or not sufficient support. They can look for a different job if their current role is not fulfilling or if they think they would do better in another team. This will lead to finding a role that they are passionate about and that fulfills them.
In conclusion, Sunday Scaries are a common occurrence caused by the dread of going back to work. The fear of talking to the boss and overdue deadlines top the list of stressors that are prevalent. The pandemic has seen many people transition to working from home, which has been a significant adjustment. Going back to the office can result in additional anxiety for many. Nevertheless, cognitive behavioral therapy can prove useful to deal with work-related anxieties in the long run. Seeking support from a therapist and finding a role that one is passionate about and fulfills them can make a huge difference.