A new study from Caldera Spas reveals that the “Sunday Scaries”, that all-too-familiar wave of anxiety that hits before the workweek begins, are taking a major toll on Americans’ mental health and relationships.
According to the survey of 1,000 full-time workers, more than half (54%) feel anxious as the weekend ends, and nearly one in four (24%) even experience feelings of depression. To delay the inevitable return to work, half of the respondents stay up late on Sundays to squeeze a little more time out of their weekend, even if it means starting Monday exhausted.
Men are more likely than women to turn to substances to cope: 27% of men say they use alcohol or drugs to unwind on Sundays, compared to just 13% of women.
For young workers, the impact extends beyond work-life balance. 83% of Gen Z workers say Sunday anxiety has strained their personal relationships, showing that the problem isn’t just in their heads; it’s affecting their lives outside the office too.
So what could help? Nearly half (47%) of workers believe a 4-day work week would reduce their Sunday stress. As more companies experiment with shorter schedules, the findings suggest that extra time to rest and recharge could be key to easing the collective dread that creeps in each Sunday evening.
See the full study here: https://www.calderaspas.com/wellness-blog/sunday-scaries-sweep-the-nation