The first time I heard about Weekend Anxiety Syndrome, I thought it was strange. However, the more I researched it, the more I understood and resonated with it.
After all, many people lead busy lives during the week, with work and study filling up their Monday to Friday schedule. Then the weekend comes and they’re left wondering, “What am I going to do these two days?”
On top of that, social media often showcases other people living it up during the weekend, which makes us question our own lives and why we aren’t leading an interesting and exciting life.
Afterwards, when Monday comes around, people head back to school, university, or the office, they are often asked, “How was your weekend?” People compare notes, sometimes going into great detail, and this can make some individuals feel like their weekend wasn’t that amazing. This leads to anxiety, causing them to avoid discussing and ever dred weekends altogether. They start to associate the weekend with chaos, while viewing the week as a time of organization and control.
Therefore, it is often those who work the hardest during the week who are most likely to be affected by weekend anxiety syndrome. They are so focused on their work that they forget to plan for the weekend, resulting in a lack of ideas, friends, or opportunities to keep themselves busy.
Interestingly, another form of weekend anxiety arises from feeling that there is not enough time to do everything that needs to be done during the weekend. Instead of feeling “too free,” individuals feel “too busy” to truly enjoy their days off, causing psychological distress.
When the weekend finally arrives, it becomes one of the few chances for individuals to tackle personal matters that have been accumulating throughout the weeks, months, and even years of being busy at work. This ongoing cycle adds to the bucket of weekend anxiety over time.
The key to overcoming weekend anxiety is to make the most of our weekends by making plans with friends, family, or other like-minded individuals. Going places, engaging in activities, and staying busy and productive can help alleviate this anxiety.
Interestingly, this isn’t necessarily a difficult task as most people today have a sedentary job, so they are often mentally tired while they are physically rested and having a lot of energy. This is why going to the gym, hiking, or participating in a social event can be a great plan for the weekend. These activities can be relatively easy and enjoyable. The specifics of these plans will depend on one’s job and desired activities, but creating a structured plan can help overcome weekend anxiety.
Lastly, I have heard someone mention that while they are working, they are focused on their tasks, but when they relax, they cannot escape feelings of anxiety, irritability, depression, and despair. These negative emotions often rise to the surface during the weekend when there is technically no work to distract from them. However, in this case, the problem (or our minds) can also be the source of the solution. There is a way to address the unhappiness we often feel, and it’s called Optimal Happiness.
Optimal Happiness is, of course, the name of this blog. I’m happy that you’ve read this far and I hope you’ve enjoyed this article. And if you or someone you love needs assistance with weekend anxiety, anxiety in general, depression, mental health, or an overall feeling of unhappiness, please reach out to us. We have the tools to not only help you overcome these negative feelings but also to create a wonderful life full of happiness and excitement, a life that you were born to live. I hope you are curious enough to want to learn more.
Stay happy, both at work and during the weekends!
