7 Smart Ways to Overcome the Sunday Blues

Oct 16, 2016

Ah, the Sunday Scaries. You’re probably familiar with them — that dreaded anxiety when you realize your weekend of Instagram-worthy brunching is coming to a close, and Monday morning (and responsibility!) is just around the corner. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to deal that not only will make you feel less stressed but might also help you enjoy your weekend more overall. Try one (or all) of these seven tricks to claim back your relaxing Sunday.

1. Break up with your phone for the day. Much of the stress you feel on a Sunday comes from being reminded of your endless list of tasks for the week ahead. If you can keep yourself from checking your emails, Facebook newsfeed and texts from your coworkers, you’ll be less reminded of what’s waiting for you in the office tomorrow. Besides, a day off from your device probably wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world — science says that high engagement with cell phones is linked to both anxiety and depression, two feelings you definitely get from the Scaries.

2. Do the day trip thing. There’s no better way to make the most of your Sunday than to do something exciting, like getting out of town. Explore a nearby city, hit an orchard for some fall apple-picking or check out some hiking trails in your area (since we know that hiking makes you happier!) The change of scenery will work wonders for your state of mind, and Monday morning at the office will seem totally far away.

3. Get your mindfulness on. Using your remaining weekend day to truly relax is key, says Jennifer Yeko, Founder & Career Coach at Ninja Recruiting in Los Angeles. “Consider meditating before bed and end the night with a nice cup of herbal tea.” You’re sure to wake up feeling refreshed and ready for the week ahead if you can get your mind right on Sunday night. And according to Yeko, you get extra points for stopping by a yoga class — sweating it out helps reduce stress and amps up endorphins.

4. Do something really different. Do you stare at your computer all day at work? Guess what: Staring at your computer all day on a Sunday will make you more anxious about dreaded Monday. Are you on your feet 24/7 at your job? Try relaxing on the couch with a great book for a few hours. Engaging in activities that are nearly opposite to what you do at your job will make you feel refreshed and ready to tackle your week, no matter how crazy it’s going to be.

5. Put in an extra half hour Friday evening. Before you leave the office on a Friday, take 30 minutes to get organized for the following week. Prioritize your inbox, look over your schedule and note any meetings you need to prep for. Highlight any due dates you have in the coming weeks and consider when you’ll have time to get your projects or assignments done. If you want to get *crazy* organized, you can actually designate blocks of work time on your calendar for various tasks. Write a to-do list and leave it on your desk for Monday, along with a motivational note like “You’ve got this!” because obviously, you do.

6. Phone a friend. Better yet, get on FaceTime or see one in person. Spending some QT with a bestie, partner or family member will 100 percent distract you from the fact that it’s Sunday, and distraction is a key coping technique when it comes to the Sunday Scaries. The more you think about it, the worse it is, so being with another person will help put it out of your mind.

7. Channel your nervous energy. Another distraction technique is working on something specific, which can help alleviate anxiety by allowing you to focus on something else. In other words, make your Sunday all about a particular project. If you never have time to cook during the week, dedicate your day to making an awesome Sunday night feast or brunch situation — and of course, invite your friends. If your apartment or house is a mess, whip it into shape. There’s nothing better than a freshly reorganized closet, clean laundry and zero dirty dishes to start your week off on the right foot. Take note: The key to making this strategy work is to plan ahead. A spur of the moment decision to take on a big project might make you feel more stressed than relaxed.

What’s your Sunday night routine? Tell us about it @BritandCo!

(Photos via Getty)

Well, Ryan Reynolds' 'SNL50' Joke Remains Another Mystery In 'It Ends With Us' Legal Saga

Saturday Night Live just had a 50th anniversary celebration to remember, but despite some iconic callbacks and celebrity cameos, one moment everyone's talking about didn't really have to do with the sketches at all: Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's appearance.

During a Q&A with Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, Ryan Reynolds stood up to ask a question, with Blake Lively sitting right beside him. After the SNL icons asked him how he was, the Deadpool actor joked, "Great. Why, what have you heard?" And while the audience laughed at the inferred reference to the ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni, sources are saying others aren't so happy with the couple's appearance.

Here's what people are saying about Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively's appearance on the SNL50 special.

Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively "have no regrets" about their SNL50 special appearance.

Following the special, SNL's cue card guy Wally Feresten told Fifi, Fev and Nick that Ryan “had a different line in rehearsal and he pitched that to replace it. That was his idea."

"We wouldn’t want to do anything too controversial unless they were in on it.”

But according to a Page Six source, Ryan didn't actually come up with that joke. “The opening joke was pitched by SNL and never changed,” they said. “The follow-up joke was rewritten in rehearsal.” So who's really behind the joke? For now, no one (except Ryan) knows.

While the moment with Ryan Reynolds got some laughs, another insider reveals that, "People in Hollywood think Blake and Ryan attending the SNL 50th anniversary show was not a good look," and that it might have been a good idea for the couple to "have sat this one out.”

But even though the appearance got some mixed reviews, another source promises they "have no regrets about making an appearance at the show,” and that they “were two of the last people to leave Studio 8H."

"Blake was initially hesitant to attend the SNL 50th anniversary show but ultimately she’s glad she attended and had a really nice time,” the second source continues. “They’re glad they showed up because they have nothing to hide and no reason not to.”

The SNL50 special, and the brief look at Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, came after Blake and Justin Baldoni filed lawsuits against one another — Blake against Justin for alleged sexual harassment and Justin against Blake, Ryan, and the New York Times for defamation.

"It’s very plausible that Justin’s legal team will use this public outing to defend him,” according to the Page Six source. “Justin is taking this lawsuit in all seriousness and isn’t making a public mockery out of it."

Recently, Justin Baldoni published a website with an Amended Complaint and It Ends With Us timeline, but according to First Amendment lawyer Kevin Goldberg, the website is "unnecessary."

"I think it's unusual and I'm not sure it's appropriate once you have already filed a defamation lawsuit," he tells Forbes. "Legally speaking, it's not going to be, itself, relevant as evidence. It could be introduced in evidence but there's no need for it."

"The reason we have very strict standards for anyone who is trying to win a defamation lawsuit — and in particular, a celebrity who is trying to win a defamation lawsuit is they can do things like this," Kevin continues. "Use a website and PR team to restore their reputation, they don't need to use the courts to restore their reputation. So why did he do both is my big question. It seems like his real goal is not to win the lawsuit but restore his good name, just, generally in the public view."

What did you think about Blake Lively & Ryan Reynolds' appearance on the SNL50 special? Read up on 10 Weird Moments You Missed From Viral Justin Baldoni & Blake Lively Set Video for more.

Tom Brady & Irina Shayk May Be Dating...Again

You read that correctly: Tom Brady and Irina Shayk (yes, Bradley Cooper's ex-wife) may be back together. Despite the fact we thought the former pro-football player and Gisele Bündchen were endgame, we discovered some good things don't last forever. But the heartbreak didn't seem to matter once Tom found model Irina Shayk — at least until they broke up for a while.

Imagine everyone's surprise now that the two are allegedly dating again. It's like the tale of the two exes who can't leave each other alone no matter how hard they try. Whether this is good or bad is TBD, but we're intrigued either way!

Here's what to know about Tom Brady & Irina Shayk's potentially rekindled relationship!

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Page Sixreported Tom Brady and Irina Shayk are rumored to be dating again, per a source. The anonymous person said, "Tom and Irina have started dating each other again and are open to see where things go" which seems extremely vague.

Adding more ambiguity to the will-they-won't-they rumor mill? A second source revealedthat the former couple had "been talking on the phone" around the New Year — and were allegedly planning a trip together — according to Page Six. "Neither one is in a serious relationship right now, so why not take a trip.”

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Prior to this, Tom Brady and Irina Shayk only dated for a short time before closing their door on their relationship. TMZ exclusively reported they'd chosen to amicably break up because things simply "fizzled out." According to an earlier Page Six article, the sexy couple were no longer spotted together at different events which raised eyebrows about their dating status.

It's safe to say that Tom Brady & Irina Shayk's "relationship" may have been more of a "situationship" because they were first linked after paparazzi spotted the latter being picked up from Hotel Bel-Air by Brady last summer (via Page Six). The eager photographers must've camped out at Tom's house overnight because they also spotted the two leaving his home the next morning. One can only assumed what happened, but it seems like they reportedly had a date shortly after that (via Page Six).

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The former couple have yet to make public comments about if they're dating or not — they could just be having fun! If either way is the case, we wish them all the luck in the world!

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The '1923' Season 2 Premiere, Explained — Including That Bombshell Alex & Spencer Reveal

1923 is back! After two years of wondering how Alex and Spencer would find each other after their separation, if Jacob and Cara would survive the attempt to steal their ranch, and if Teonna would make it to safety, the 1923 season 2 premiere is answering some of our biggest questions. Although actress Michelle Randolph told me we might have to wait until the end of the season to see whether the show "fills in some blanks" in the Dutton family tree, we're already getting plenty of info.

Here's everything you missed in the 1923 season 2 premiere, "The Killing Season."

In the '1923' season 2 premiere, Jacob & Cara Dutton are protecting their ranch.

Right at the beginning of the episode, we get a beautiful look at Montana and the Yellowstone ranch, with Cara Dutton revealing via narration they've sold everything except 4 bulls and 100 heifers to pay off some of the money they owe Whitfield — and that it's up to Spencer to rebuild everything they've lost.

Jacob and Jack leave the ranch for a hearing — and come face-to-face with a mountain lion on the porch. However, the lion races off before Jacob can kill it, and after Cara jokes it's comforting Jacob now has something to worry about, Jacob tells her he's "always worried, honey" and gives her a kiss. I am simply obsessed with them!! (I also need them both to make it to the end of the series, I'm so serious).

The mountain lion doesn't last for long, however, after it returns, almost attacks Elizabeth, and gets shot by Cara.

In town, Jacob (and us) learn Zane and Alice's marriage has been rendered void after they were attacked & arrested for miscegenation last season — and that Whitfield is behind everything...to literally no one's surprise.

Whitfield's still thinking about the Duttons himself, talking about how Jacob might be strong and mighty like a bear, but enough bee stings can lead to the bear's death ("Death by a Thousand Cuts" anyone?). He finds reassurance in the knowledge the trial is another metaphorical bee sting for Jacob Dutton to, well, bear.

Banner Creighton's also preparing for the trial, and tells his wife that after a lifetime of struggle, Whitfield's new provision means their son has a future. "I'll lay with the devil to give him that," he says. Chills me to my very core.

Teonna Rainwater is still on the run.

Father Renaud and his men are still on the hunt for Teonna. Unfortunately I do mean that very literally because they attack a Comanche village in their pursuit, but Teonna, thank goodness, is safe with her father and Pete, the latter of whom she finally starts a romantic relationship with.

But right when they're starting to get ~cozy~ (if you catch my drift), they notice a horseback rider — and learn from him that they're in Texas (don't worry, the horseback rider isn't Father Renaud).

And Spencer & Alex are fighting to get back to each other.

Spencer's latest sea voyage is a lot less relaxing than we saw at the end of season 1; he's working in the bottom of a ship, where he becomes friends with Luca after defending the younger man from a rapist and saving him from jumping into the ocean. And, okay, we're only one episode in and they've already formed a really sweet bond that I hope continues through the whole season — maybe Luca can come back to the ranch!

Our favorite Dutton hero now has two missions: get back to his family and find Alex. So, to get some money and get it quick, Spencer starts a couple of one-on-one fights while Luca collects bets. Of course, Spencer wins. (Duh).

Meanwhile, back in England, Alex is still mourning her separation from Spencer. And when Jennifer visits her, Alex reveals she's desperate to get to Montana is because she's actually pregnant with Spencer's child. WHAT! I need 5-7 business days to process this information! Who knows, maybe Alex and Spencer are ancestors of John Dutton? (Beth definitely shares Alex and Spencer's grit and spunk, hello). Alex ropes Jennifer into selling her jewelry to book passage to America...even if that passage ends up being in the thieves and beggars class.

Whew! I can't wait to tune in next week to see what the future has in store for the Duttons.

What time does 1923 air?

New episodes of 1923 season 2 airs on Paramount+ at 12 AM EST/9PM EST.

See our interview with Julia Schlaepfer for more — and read up on The 1923 Season 1 Ending, Deaths, & Betrayals, Explained for a refresher.

This post has been updated.

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