THE SUNDAY NIGHT CREEPIES
When I was a little girl, I called it “That Creepy Sunday Feeling.” We’ve all had it. That feeling of dread you get when you know you have to do something, but you don’t want to do it. Please subscribe to my podcast, GloriaMoraga One – On – One. You can now find it at podcast.gloriamoraga.com.
That Sunday feeling comes when it’s the end of the weekend, and you know you must go to school or work on Monday morning.
It’s anxiety, stress, depression, sadness. Have you felt this way before? I think we all have it from time to time. Some of us are having it more and more these days.
How are you handling it?
WARNING
I am not a doctor; I am not a therapist. I’m am just a woman who first began dealing with depression when my Mom was diagnosed with cancer when I was in my 20’s. Before I go, any furthers, please, if you feel like you are unable to cope, please see a doctor. There is help out there for you.
So, let’s Talk about that Sunday Feeling
Before COVID 19, one study documented that 80 percent of workers feel ‘Sunday Night Dread’ About Work.
I was shocked when I read that there is an actual name and a study on my Creepy Sunday Feeling.
The research is from The Sleep Judge. I’m quoting Its headline, “The Sunday Scaries” The Sleep Judge is a group that works to help people get a good night’s sleep. I need this organization. But that’s another podcast. Their study showed that 80 percent of workers answered yes to the following question: “Do you experience elevated anxiety on Sunday in anticipation of Monday?”
WHO GETS SUNDAY NIGHT DREAD
This Sunday Night Dread is apparently universal across profession types. But the study showed the three professions whose workers feel Sunday night anxieties the most. They are education, legal, and finance and insurance (86 percent versus 81 percent average), with marketing/advertising and IT following closely. I was in two of these groups when I was working at the University. I was in Education and Marketing. And my Sunday Night scarries were almost paralyzing.
When I was being bullied, I’d feel that Sunday Night anxiety every day. Sometimes when I got to work, I would just sit in my car, wondering if I was going to be able to get through the day. My heart would pound, my palms would sweat. I feel horrible just thinking about it.
Here is another Wow fact: people who work remotely reported even higher rates of the Sunday night blues (84 percent). The research shows that working from home involves interruptions, isolation, and longer work hours bleeding into personal life. Wow! Many of us are working from home now.
WORKERS WERE STRESSED BEFORE COVID19
I included this information to drive home the fact that BEFORE the lockdown, workers were already stressed out about going to work and dealing with all that stress.
When I was being bullied, I’d feel that Sunday Night anxiety every day. Sometimes when I got to work, I would just sit in my car, wondering if I was going to be able to get through the day. My heart would pound, my palms would sweat. I feel horrible just thinking about it.
Here is another Wow fact: people who work remotely reported even higher rates of the Sunday night blues (84 percent). The research shows that working from home involves interruptions, isolation, and longer work hours bleeding into personal life. Wow! Many of us are working from home now.
I included this information to drive home the fact that BEFORE the lockdown, workers were already stressed out about going to work and dealing with all that stress.
Enter COVID 19.
And here is another headline I recently read, it says,
“The Pandemic is creating a mental health crisis,” according to a recent article in The Washington Post.
Anxiety and depression are rising. The U.S. was not prepared for COVID 19. Now we are overwhelmed when dealing with all the stress that is coming with it.
Okay, enough facts.
I admit I’m a tad more depressed than usual. But I’ve struggled with depression for years, and I have ways of living with it, dealing with it, and beating it. I take it day by day. Step by step. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. And I run it every day.
The experts say we are all at high risk for depression
According to a Kaiser Family Foundation poll, nearly half of all Americans say they are experiencing depression and anxiety.
Symptoms – What’s Depression Feel Like
If you are unsure about whether or not you are suffering from depression or anxiety, here are some signs,
- Feelings of sadness, tearfulness, emptiness, or hopelessness
- Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
- Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities, such as sex, hobbies or sports
- Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much
- Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
- Reduced appetite and weight loss or increased cravings for food and weight gain
- Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
- Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements
- Feelings of worthlessness or guilt, fixating on past failures or self-blame
- Trouble thinking, concentrating, making decisions and remembering things
- Frequent or recurrent thoughts of death, suicidal thoughts, suicide attempts or suicide
- Unexplained physical problems, such as back pain or headaches
How to Fight Depression – This is What I Do
It works for me, and experts recommend many of the things I’m doing.
- Even though we are distancing, you are not alone. Don’t cut yourself off from friends and family and the people you love. We all need a support group.
- Try to Exercise. I know. I hate the thought of exercising too. But the moment I get in the pool or take a hard roll in my wheelchair, I feel better. The endorphins kick in, and you feel great!!! Do whatever movement makes you happy. Dance, take a walk, golf. Sing! Singing makes me happy. Take it easy at first. Don’t overdo it.
- Try not to drink too much alcohol. A glass of wine, a drink now and then is not a bad thing. Remember, alcohol is a depressant. Do you want to drink when you are already depressed?
- Try to stay on a proper diet. Look at me telling you this. I have horrible eating habits. I’m trying to diet right now. Since the Pandemic hit, I’ve been eating junk and not watching my weight. I’ve gained at least ten pounds. So, yes. Try to eat less bread and sugar and more veggies and protein.
- See your doctor. Explain your depression. And try some of the mild medications now available. Depression is a chemical imbalance in your body and brain. You can help fight it with prescribed, taken in moderation chemicals.
- Try to get a good night’s sleep.
- Turn off your phone. Ya. Notice I didn’t say turn off the TV cause I always have a movie streaming.
- Cook a good meal. Cooking always makes me feel better.
- Pull weeds, clean out your closet, and donate clothes that no longer fit to the Good Will or Charity of choice. I need to do this. I haven’t been able to clean my closet since being bullied out of my job. It’s a thing. I don’t want to confront my work clothes. I’m working on doing it.
- Volunteer. Help the homeless.
- Watch a great movie.
These are my tips.
Here is what doctors say
The article, “10 Natural Depression Treatments,” is from webmd.com. It’s a great read. And I recommend it.
https://www.webmd.com/depression/features/natural-treatments#1
And finally, here is my number one way to stop my depression. I meditate. I work to keep my mind and body calm and I list all of the things I am thankful for. Do this first thing upon waking, and do it throughout the day when you are feeling down.
Sometimes when I’m really feeling down, I just start naming all the people I love. I do this aloud if I am alone. I say it to myself if there are people nearby.
And I sometimes even get to people like the man who mows my lawn, and the guy who cleans my pool. I cleaned my own pool for ten years. After I broke my leg twice in two years, my daughter insisted I hire a pool service. The first day I saw Bruce out on my deck skimming out the leaves I almost cried tears of joy. It was one of the happiest feeling I’d had in a long time.
Right now, even with all the uncertainty and stress all of us each have a long, long list of people and things and moments we can be thankful for.
Let me see, my grandbaby, my red car, my diet coke, crushed ice, movies. My sister, my godchild, my daughter. Aiden, Thor, my annoying little dog…Puxley, our Geko…the list goes on and on…and I’m less depressed and thankful I have so many people to love.
Give yourself a real treat. Be kind to yourself.
The bottom line, 2020, sucks. But it’s temporary! Everything is Temporary. (Moonstruck) Even that Sunday Creepy Feeling.
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