• When You Have to Take a Break From Working Out
• Why You Should Be Using Google Plus Hangouts
• My Philadelphia Marathon Race Recap!
• Reebok: When I Did Crossfit With the Pros

You know you have it — we ALL do. You’ve been blissfully away from your work desk all weekend. You’ve been in the sunshine, eaten too much, gone to the movies or lounged on your couch. The “real world” of work and deadlines and schedules seems so far away after just a few days — especially a holiday weekend that was full of bliss and relaxation.

But. It’s coming. And there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Monday.

I’ve had Sunday Night Anxiety (SNA) for years. I never used to recognize it as that but I recently called it by name and started to do something about it. Here are a few things I do to help rein in the SNA demons:

1. Be present.

 “Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” — Omar Khayyám

I think that kind of sums it up but…when you look on your life, those lazy Sunday evenings can be some of your best so relish them — don’t waste them on worrying about the Monday you’ll likely forget. 

2. Pre-pack your lunch and pre-make your coffee. 
I usually go to the store on Sundays and make sure my lunch is made and ready to go for the AM on Sunday. It makes one less thing you have to worry about on Monday morning. Additionally, I set my coffee up — and preschedule it to start brewing minutes before my alarm goes off so I don’t have to think about it!

3. Stretch. 
No seriously. Your body is probably retaining nervous tension that you don’t even realize. Taking a good 10 minutes to stretch your legs, arms and body as a whole will naturally relax you. I have one of this massive rubber balls that you can do fake back bends on — that’s the best.

4. Make a list: Free your mind. 
Not everyone will agree with this but…I find that making a list of all the things that are bubbling up in my head about work is helpful. If you get it down on paper, you are less likely to forget and you will also realize you are making a bigger deal out of the things you need to do than exist. Stressful evening averted.

5. Think about what you have to look forward to. 
The great thing about weekends is that always come around again. Consider what you have to look forward to next weekend — and that will help you realize that the work week will again come to an end.

6. Give yourself a break. 
I’m fairly disciplined during the week but if I want a Sunday night bowl of ice cream, I give it to myself simply for enduring the punishment that is Monday Eve.

*BONUS: Look at photos of your favorite cute kids — like my niece, Giovanna 🙂

Okay so these aren’t scientific methods but I write what I know and this is what has helped me. If someone else can get something out of it, then I’m glad 🙂