5 Sunday rituals to set you up for the week

It's official: the Sunday night blues are a thing, and if you feel them, you can take solace in knowing you're not alone.

A 2015 global poll by US employment company Monster showed that 80% of workers surveyed feel down on Sunday evenings. Considering that each passing minute signals the freedom of the weekend winding up and the working week edging closer, it's really no surprise.

But do Sundays really have to be so bad? We don't think so. And adding some nurturing rituals into your day can go a long way in banishing those blues. Some easy lifestyle tweaks and a little bit of forward thinking can set you up for a less stressful week, meaning Monday morning won't look so bad after all.

Here are five things to do on a Sunday that can get you on track for a productive week ahead.

1. Get outdoors

There's nothing like a breath of fresh air to help you feel revitalised. While squirelling away under the duvet all day might seem like a desirable choice, spending half an hour outside in nature can result in mental and physical health benefits like increased creativity, improved mental wellbeing, and a decrease in the likelihood of suffering from high blood pressure. So try and make getting outside the first item on your Sunday agenda. Take a hike, organise a trip to the beach, or just take a leisurely stroll to the local park to read the morning paper.

2. An hour (or half) of power

Chores are like apologies: it's not enjoyable when you're doing it, but you feel great when it's done. Gather every able-bodied person in your household - whether that's your partner, kids or housemates - and choose a time for an hour (or half hour) of power where the only items on the agenda are the household chores that need doing. No distractions. No excuses. Prioritise the big tasks and divide up the labour so everyone knows exactly what is expected of them. You'll be amazed at the difference it makes to your household and your mental state, and once it's over you can all relax.