Sam Klein, Editor

Waking up on a Sunday with an endless to-do list and limited motivation to complete it all can be overwhelming. An anxiety-induced morning figuring out what you’re going to do and when to maximize the time in your day can force Sunday to be your least favorite day of the week. However, below is a guide to diminish these “Sunday Scaries” and properly reset before jumping into yet another Monday.

1. Plan Before Sunday

One of the best ways to reduce waking up feeling stressed is to establish a general plan the day before. This isn’t to say your Sunday has to be planned out by the hour, but establish a loose schedule for yourself to give your day some structure. Maybe you sleep in but work out an hour after you wake up. Perhaps you get up early and do homework, and then allow yourself a nap in the afternoon. By giving your brain less to think about in terms of “What should I be doing right now,” your day will coast by more peacefully.

2. Create a to-do list

Checking off boxes has to be one of the most rewarding feelings. Making reasonable goals and establishing a manageable to-do list is the first step. If you haven’t read for a class, reading four chapters in one day might not be the most realistic thing to write down on the list, but one chapter would be a beneficial baby step.

Things that should be included on your to-do list should be homework, cleaning, miscellaneous tasks you’ve been putting off (i.e., sending an email, scheduling a meeting, etc.), laundry and grocery shopping. Create a to-do list that will leave you feeling accomplished and calm prior to completion. Think about the space you’re creating for yourself for the upcoming week. Think of the benefits of having clean clothes folded, fresh sheets on your bed, and a fridge restocked. All of these things might feel insignificant, but allow for a heightened sense of preparation for the week ahead. Create a to-do list that will allow you to go to bed feeling like your own personal breath of fresh air.

3. Be productive

Productivity is a scary word when you have little to no energy, but once you complete one task and feel fulfilled, your mind subconsciously wants to keep that feeling going and do more. Start with tasks that require less energy or even things you enjoy doing, or at the very least, you don’t mind doing. Perhaps this is making your bed or tidying up your room. Once you feel a sense of accomplishment, you might feel inclined to keep going. Maybe just making your bed gives you the motivation to wash the dishes and put a load of laundry in, or cleaning your room inspires you to start your homework in a clean space. A proper reset is for you because you deserve to begin a new week with a clean space and positive mindset. Do what you need to do in order to get yourself there.

4. Rest

Rest is okay. Napping is okay. Sleeping in is okay. Having a movie marathon is okay. Rest is essential to feeling well prepared for an upcoming week, however, rest isn’t solely sleep, while definitely an option. Rest can come in the form of watching TV, scrolling on your phone, reading- ultimately, any horizontal time is time well spent on a Sunday. Your body expends a lot of energy throughout the week through exercise, brainpower, and simple human functions, therefore it’s important to reward it with ample rest. You’re not lazy if you need some extra downtime because sometimes you just need a break.

5. Do one thing just for you

While productivity and rest serve as the foundational elements of a “proper reset,” doing the things that make you happy are equally as important. No day should be spent going through the motions or doing things that make you miserable just because you feel like you “have to” do them. Romanticize the little things and embrace every small victory. While establishing a plan for your Sunday, make time to do something that fills your heart with joy or your mind with ease. Take a walk, make cookies, draw a bath, do a facemask, shoot hoops, go to brunch, read a book, journal, dance. Sometimes it might not feel like there’s enough time in the day to check off every item on your to-do list, but there is always enough time to make yourself smile.