Sunday Reset Routines and the Sunday Scaries Phenomenon

The concept of the ‘Sunday reset’ has emerged as a popular method for managing the ‘Sunday scaries’—a term describing the anticipatory dread many workers feel as the weekend concludes. A Sunday reset typically involves a structured two-hour window used to prepare for the upcoming week.

Common practices within this routine include dedicating time to tidying living spaces, such as kitchen counters and entryways, planning upcoming schedules, and engaging in personal tasks. Researchers suggest that preparing for Monday leverages the ‘fresh start effect,’ where individuals are more motivated to pursue goals following temporal landmarks like the start of a new week.