Three quarters of workers – and many schoolkids - experience the ‘Sunday Scaries’, with symptoms kicking in around 5:17pm.
A poll of 2,000 people who work Monday to Friday found 31 per cent of those who suffer from the Sunday night dread experience it most weeks.
With 35 per cent admitting they’ve felt those familiar fears since their school days.
Tell-tale signs include overthinking the week ahead and anxiety (both 51 per cent) along with a sense of dread (47 per cent).
But it also emerged 67 per cent of the parents polled have spotted similar behaviour related to the ‘Sunday Scaries’ in their own kids ahead of the new school year.
David Lloyd Clubs, which commissioned the research, has teamed up with Olympic boxer Nicola Adams to launch REBELS Reset classes, which are available at clubs nationwide on Sunday 31st August.
The family-friendly gym class is designed to banish the ‘Sunday Scaries’ after 67 per cent of sufferers said exercise is a good way to shake them off.
Nicola Adams said: “The ‘Sunday Scaries’ is a feeling we have all experienced at some point in our lives and something we find hard to escape.
“I remember it all too well from my own school days, but staying active is such a great way to not only take your mind off the Sunday Scaries, but also energise yourself for the week ahead.
“I’m excited to launch these new classes, which is a such a fun way for families to spend quality time together, move their bodies and feel empowered for the week ahead.
“I truly believe in the power of movement and connection to help start the week strong”.
Ways in which people are combatting the Sunday Scaries include distracting themselves with the TV (43 per cent), going out for a walk (33 per cent) and listening to music or podcasts (27 per cent).
With a quarter focussing on self-care by taking a bath or a shower to relax and wash those feelings away.
While the top concerns ahead of the new week were found to be their general workload (53 per cent), a never-ending to-do list (34 per cent) and a big project or work meeting (28 per cent).
But a quarter of sufferers admitted they simply don’t know how to shake these feelings when they hit.
Overall, 45 per cent consider Monday to be the most stressful day of the week, according to the OnePoll.com data.
With the parents polled noticing physical signs of the Sunday scaries in their children, which include asking questions about the week ahead (36 per cent) and irritability (35 per cent).
With 31 per cent wanting to avoid homework and preparation for school all together.
For those who experience them and thinking back to their school days, realising they hadn’t done their homework and hearing a parent saying “early night tonight” were the biggest triggers (both 29 per cent).
And 23 per cent had the feeling of dread come over them when hearing the theme tune of a certain television programme.
Michelle Dand, for David Lloyd Clubs added: “We know how beneficial parent and child exercise classes can be, and we are excited to launch REBELS Reset classes to boost endorphins and combat any back-to-school nervousness.
“Regular exercise is important to a healthy lifestyle and for those who can, building this into a Sunday really sets them up for the week ahead.
“Weekends are important for down time, so shouldn’t be spent worrying about the week ahead.
“There is so much you can do to boost your mood, so it’s important to get out there and go for it. ”
Top 10 worries people have that cause their Sunday Scaries
1. Workload 53%
2. Your never-ending to-do list 34%
3. Big projects or work meetings 28%
4. Juggling work and family life 28%
5. Money or bills 21%
6. Balancing self-care with responsibilities 20%
7. Family responsibilities 20%
8. Your boss or manager 19%
9. Household chores 17%
10. School run logistics 13%
