New research from YuLife, an all-in-one insurance and wellbeing provider, reveals an 84% year-on-year increase in Google searches for “Sunday Scaries” across the UK. The study, which examined terms such as “Sunday Scaries”, “Sunday Blues”, and “Sunday Syndrome”, suggests that pre-work anxiety is growing across the country, particularly in certain urban areas. The rise in searches coincides with wider workplace challenges, with 66% of UK employees reporting burnout in 2024, according to YuLife’s internal data.
The research identifies Norwich as the UK city with the highest level of Sunday Scaries-related searches, recording 382 searches per 100,000 residents. Newcastle follows with 348, while Oxford ranks third with 345. The data, sourced from Google Keyword Planner and KeywordTool.io and normalised using population data from the Office for National Statistics, reflects significant regional variations in how people experience anxiety before the start of the workweek.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, Manchester shows the lowest search volume, with only 48 searches per 100,000 residents. London follows with 59 and Durham with 78. These differences suggest that local workplace cultures and stress levels may be influencing how residents respond to the looming return to work on Monday.
Most anxious UK cities for Sunday Scaries
- Norwich: 382
- Newcastle: 348
- Oxford: 345
- Reading: 299
- Plymouth: 295
- Dundee: 285
- Ipswich: 270
- Gloucester: 249
- Bristol: 246
- Portsmouth: 244
Least anxious UK cities for Sunday Scaries
- Manchester: 48
- London: 59
- Durham: 78
- Nottingham: 81
- Cambridge: 100
- Sheffield: 106
- Leicester: 106
- Liverpool: 111
- Northampton: 114
- Milton Keynes: 132
YuLife’s analysis suggests that these anxieties are not isolated to Sunday evenings. Rather, they are shaped by how people experience the working week, particularly among younger employees and those working in hybrid models. Factors such as poor boundaries, lack of autonomy, and a sense of disconnection contribute to the stress that manifests as Sunday Scaries.
Katie Howarth, Head of People at YuLife, comments: “If your employees are feeling anxious before the week even begins, that’s not just a wellbeing issue, it’s a business risk. The Sunday Scaries are a symptom of something bigger: a workforce that feels overwhelmed, disconnected, or unsupported. And while these feelings show up on a Sunday night, they’re shaped by everything that happens during the working week, unrealistic demands, lack of flexibility, and poor boundaries. Employers can either ignore it or get ahead of it. With the right tools, culture, and mindset, it’s possible to build workplaces where wellbeing is proactive, not reactive. At YuLife, we believe that small, everyday actions, when supported by the business, can shift how people feel about their jobs, their teams, and themselves. And when employees feel supported and energised, they don’t just show up on Monday, they show up at their best.”
According to the Health and Safety Executive, 875,000 UK workers experienced work-related stress, depression, or anxiety in 2022 and 2023, resulting in 17.1 million lost working days. Addressing issues like the Sunday Scaries through workplace culture and proactive wellbeing initiatives may help reduce this burden and foster healthier, more productive teams.