Posted by Heidi Schwartz
A global poll conducted by Monster reveals that 76% of respondents in the U.S. report having “really bad” Sunday night blues. This differs greatly from the rest of the world, where only 45% report experiencing “really bad” Sunday night blues. Despite positive economic news, there has been no significant change in either the U.S. or the rest of the world for those experiencing the Sunday night blues since 2013, when 73% of U.S. respondents had “really bad” Sunday night blues and 47% from the rest of the world felt that way at the time.
“The level of anxiety Americans feel heading into the work week remains significantly high and is counterproductive,” said Monster Career Expert, Vicki Salemi. “While this could be due to residual stress of the economic downturn or the pressure of doing more with less in the workplace, there’s always an opportunity for people to identify and proactively address the things about their jobs that make them unhappy.”
Monster asked visitors to their site the question, “Are your ‘Sunday Night Blues’ bad enough to make you want a new job?” and received over 2,200 responses.
Key results from the latest poll, excluding the 20% of respondents who do not have Sunday blues, include:
- 62% of global respondents who have the Sunday night blues report they are “really bad”
- 76% of U.S. respondents who have the Sunday night blues report they are “really bad”
- 42% of EU respondents who have the Sunday night blues report they are “really bad”
“There are many tactics people can use to reduce Sunday night blues so they are less stressed and more prepared to conquer the week,” says Salemi. “Seeking work-life adjustments, and managing work flow throughout the week can do a great deal to alleviate the blues, but ultimately it could be a sign that you need to find a job that better suits your goals or lifestyle.”
Seven Tips To Alleviate Sunday Night Blues
- Conduct the “Friday Review”—Take 15 minutes at the end of the day on Friday to sort your tasks and build a to-do list for Monday.
- Manage Your Management—Use technology to keep yourself “in the know” while you’re enjoying your weekend by using smartphone apps like calendar, task, and note taking software.
- Calibrate Your Work-Life Balance Beam—Set aside official “on the beam” and “off the beam” moments to delineate and ensure time for exercise, time with family, or time to unwind.
- Get Out The Microscope—Think about what specifically causes your Sunday night blues, identify the triggers, and work on ways to prevent or remove those stressors.
- Know Your Goals—Look at what you’d like to learn, the job description of the position you want or the career path, and then create a proactive plan. Review and adjust it regularly.
- Pay Attention To Your Positivity—Review your wins and keep a running list of accomplishments, however small, as well as recognition from your colleagues.
- Find Better—Sometimes, it’s time to look for something else. If you’re truly unhappy in your current position, outline a plan to find a new job with elements that make you happy and productive.
The results of the current Monster Global Poll are based on votes cast by Monster visitors from: March 30-April 14, 2015. The Monster Global poll is a series of online polls that gauge users’ opinions on a variety of topics relating to careers, the economy, and the workplace. These polls are not scientific and reflect the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate.
