How many times a year do Americans experience Sunday Scare?

According to a new study, the average American experiences the “Sunday scare” 36 times a year.

A survey of 2,000 adults found that this feeling is defined as anxiety (32%) or fear (17%) about what to expect for the week ahead, and shared that it sets in around 3:54 p.m.

Nearly a quarter of respondents said Sundays are harder to enjoy because of the looming thought of a new week (23%).

Those who experience Sunday dread say it’s because of stress about what they have to do during the week (36%), before the week (28%) or uncertainty about how the week will go (33%).

For one in seven parents who experience Sunday dreads, burnout and not getting enough rest for the week ahead is to blame.

Run by Talker Research for Foods of the Pacificthe survey found that combating this feeling is important to 62% of Americans who prioritize making the most of their weekend.

What does this mean? Respondents enjoy spending Sunday watching their favorite shows (51%), watching movies (42%), sleeping (42%), cooking (31%) and going for walks (26%) .

Chores are also on the to-do list – and some of respondents’ least favorite Sundays are laundry (34%), cleaning (33%), dishes (23%) and yard work (21%).

To make sure they have enough time to relax, relaxation is essential, especially since the average American can go four active weekends in a row before needing a breather.

Those who experience Sunday dread relieve anxiety with music (47%), TV (46%), social media (29%), food (27%) and cooking (22%).

Gen Z respondents who experience Sunday dread, in particular, find solace in eating (34%) and cooking (31%).

But for many people, relaxing doesn’t mean you’re alone. In fact, most respondents would rather spend their Sunday with loved ones (52%) than recharge alone (40%).

“Our mission is to reclaim Sundays and our weekend joy,” said Erika Jubinville, head of marketing for Pacific Foods. “Weekends should not end at 3.54pm on Sundays with fear and worry. Let’s remind ourselves that this is a time to recharge and use the creativity of the kitchen to ease into the week ahead.”

According to 64% of respondents, Sundays are about a fresh start to the week and while they reset, 30% do their grocery shopping over the weekend.

Americans also use this time to try to get ahead of the week by creating a to-do list (30%), visualizing the week (24%), meal planning (20%), meal prep or cooking ahead (16 %). and organizing their refrigerator or pantry (10%).

Cooking ahead plays a big part in preparing for the week ahead, with more than a quarter of respondents cooking the biggest meals on Sundays (28%) because a similar percentage feel stressed when thinking about cooking meals during the week (26%).

Two-thirds of Americans who cook said they usually plan to make or have leftovers when they cook on Sundays, with this solution especially helpful for two in three parents.

Similarly, one in six respondents take time to prepare meals on Sundays.

The start of the week is also a time to try new things, as one in nine respondents who cook are most likely to try a new recipe or meal on Sunday.

And respondents intend to include appropriate options. Seventy-nine percent believe that fast foods can be just as tasty and satisfying as foods that take a long time to prepare.

“With quality ingredients, you don’t have to sacrifice taste for time,” said Jubinville. “We teamed up with chef Matty Matheson to tap into his zest for life and transform Sunday dread into a day of culinary adventure with fun and easy recipes. Friday no longer has a monopoly on joy thanks to #TGISunday!”

WHAT DO AMERICANS WISH THEY HAD MORE TIME ON SUNDAY?

1. Sleep – 31%
2. Watching TV – 19%
3. Watching movies – 17%
4. Visiting loved ones – 17%
5. Mental preparation for the week – 12%
6. Reading – 12%
7. Going for a walk – 12%
8. Talking with loved ones on the phone – 11%
9. Doing a DIY project – 10%
10. Yard work – 10%
11. Cleaning – 9%
12. Going for a car – 9%
13. Cooking – 9%
14. Meditation – 9%
15. Exercise – 8%

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 Americans of the general population; The survey was commissioned by Pacific Foods and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between April 30 and May 6, 2024.