Feeling a sense of dread on Sundays is a common experience, particularly as the workweek approaches. According to Hannah Stalton, a coach and workplace expert, it is normal to feel fed up on a Sunday when the weekend is nearly over. However, ruminating and obsessively worrying about work and the week ahead, especially if this happens regularly, is not healthy. Stalton suggests reflecting on whether this is just a passing feeling after a great weekend or an indicator that it might be time to reconsider one's job choice. There are several signs that Sunday scaries might be trying to communicate something significant. One sign is experiencing mental and physical symptoms, such as low energy or feeling flat on a Sunday, especially after a busy or fun weekend. However, there is a distinction between feeling tired and falling into an anxious spiral. Excessive worrying and ruminating thoughts might present alongside physical symptoms like tension headaches, nausea, or vomiting. If the job is affecting one's health, it may not be worth continuing. Another sign is when the anxiety creeps into the entire weekend. If job dread becomes chronic, it refuses to stay neatly boxed into Sunday night. If one is dreading Monday from Saturday evening, that dread can start to creep earlier each week, until it starts ruining the whole weekend, not just the last few hours of it. This can lead to poor sleep and feeling miserable and short-tempered with those around them. If the dread lingers past Tuesday, it may indicate that the job is not right for the individual. The initial Sunday evening slump typically evaporates once one starts working. However, if the dread is consistent through the week, and not just on the first day or two of work, this could be a sign it's time to consider resignation. Reliance on unhealthy coping habits may also be a red flag. These may include obsessively checking one's inbox on Sunday night when it's not necessary, drinking more than usual, going quiet with one's partner or family, or mindlessly doom-scrolling to distract oneself. These behaviors may be easily dismissed as a way to unwind, but if they occur frequently, they can be a pattern. Changing the people at work may not necessarily fix the problem. To determine whether one is facing general burnout or needs a total job change, it's important to reflect on whether doing the exact same role with a different team or company would feel better. Sometimes, the source of anxiety can be the work itself, but more often than not, it's a result of difficult, challenging relationships at work. If it's the people causing the Sunday scaries, it may not necessarily be a reason to start working one's notice. There are things that can be done to rectify this, such as having an honest conversation with one's manager or HR. If it's the job itself, it might be time to look and see what other options are available. If one is trying to gain clarity on Sunday night, it's important to ask oneself a few direct questions: What specifically is one dreading right now? Is it a person, a task, or the whole thing? Has this gotten worse over the last six months, or has it always been like this? If one imagines still being in the same position in a year, how does that feel? Answering these honestly and writing them down can help in reflecting further. If all the answers point to a situation that cannot be changed, it may be time to look elsewhere. If one has decided it's time to move on, it can be tricky to navigate. Stalton suggests giving oneself permission to job search without guilt, as this alone might take the edge off because one knows there's an endpoint. To help find the next position, talking to people one knows to find out what opportunities might be available is vital, as using and growing one's network is crucial in the job market today. If one wants to stay in their job but still struggles to switch off on Sundays, Emma Georgiou, a leadership coach, shares tips for improving the experience. Making time to enjoy things that give energy, doing one small thing to make Monday easier, and stopping there, and doing something that helps the body relax, such as eating properly, hydrating, having a shower, talking to someone, and getting a good night's sleep, can be beneficial.