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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Why do I always feel ropey at the weekend?

25 replies

C1239 · 01/07/2023 07:50

I’m so busy with work by the time it comes to the weekend I’m tired and often feel ropey with some kind of on coming cold / bug, I’m sure it’s because of how busy/stressful work is. It’s annoying me now because I want to make most of my weekends. Is anyone else the same? What can I do?!

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 01/07/2023 07:51

Are you drinking on a weekend ?

Original poster
C1239 · 01/07/2023 07:51

No i rarely drink anymore

OP posts:
BastetsWhiskers · 01/07/2023 08:00

Can you try doing something relaxing and healthy on Friday evenings (bath, food) and getting an early night so you might feel invigorated on Saturday? And plan in advance something nice to look forward to which will be motivating?

BarrelOfOtters · 01/07/2023 08:04

It’s very common in stressful jobs. Teachers often get sick in the holidays same reason. Are there ways you can reduce the stress in your job? Often that’s better to do before it gets too bad….

Whatkatyforgottodo · 01/07/2023 08:04

Might be the same reason teachers always get ill in the holidays? I think your body produces a hormone (cortisol?) when you are stressed, and this protects you against bugs etc, then when you relax, production stops, your body loses the extra defence and you get ill. Your situation doesn’t sound quite the same but maybe a similar process?

Saracen · 01/07/2023 08:13

I think it's your body's way of forcing you to have a rest.

I used to have a very full-on toddler who didn't sleep well, and I tended to get a migraine every Saturday morning. When I noticed this pattern, I realised that it was probably no coincidence that this always happened at exactly the time my partner was off work and available to look after our child while I spent most of the day in bed.

In no way was I faking it - the pain was very real - but I think it was driven by my need to take a break.

I have a feeling that the only way you'll better at the weekend is to somehow relieve your difficult weekdays as they are happening, rather than letting it all pile up. Is there any way you can de-stress during the week, even if it's only taking five minutes here and there for a short relaxation exercise? Or carve out a lunch break where you actually leave work and go sit in a park?

If you agree with me that this is the solution, you could post separately with details of how your work day looks, and ask people for ideas on how to reduce stress on a daily basis so it doesn't ruin your weekends.

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 01/07/2023 08:27

Because you do too much during the week and your body ends up almost running on adrenaline.

Gingernaut · 01/07/2023 08:34

Lack of caffeine?

When I did a stressful and highly responsible job, which had a long commute, I drank diet colas like it was going out of fashion, starting on the bus to the train station.

Cue the weekend, where I wasn't drinking so much - headache, fatigue and lethargy.

I had to wean myself off such high caffeine intake with 7UP Free, Diet Sprite and fizzy waters and the weekends became less of a write off.

AnImaginaryCat · 01/07/2023 08:38

I think it's because you force yourself to go on during the working week. Ar the weekend you relax and notice you aren't feeling great.

Ultimately what this means is that you need to figure out how to factor in relaxing during the week. Be it time off or a proper breaks during the day or, or something like meditation/mindfulness

RachelHair · 01/07/2023 08:41

It's probably just a sign that you need to rest and take it easy on the weekend, but might be worth having some health tests if you are genuinely feeling ill every weekend. Could it be hayfever or another environmental allergen?
Are you very stressed and tired in the week and pushing past it and then paying for it on the weekend?

nobodygoesdowninthejungle · 01/07/2023 08:45

When I compare my job now to what I did in my 20s, I am always confused by why the weekends are such a write off as my current job is less stressful & fewer hours. Not only am I 20 years older but I have DC and whilst I'm out of the manically busy toddler & pre-school years and they largely do their own thing, I realise I need a peace & quiet to re-charge and I simply don't get enough of that.
Today's plans are, fundamentally, not that different to a Saturday my 20s ... supermarket & a couple of shops for other bits & pieces, gym, out this evening (perhaps I would have had a coffee with a friend too). However, I have already dropped DD off an activity and am now clock watching for when I have to collect her. When I go out to the shops later, it's actually going to be a couple of hours and a DC will come with me as they need new trainers. Then later on DS needs to be dropped at a friends. Plus more washing, cooking, tidying up. And the chat! Which I love on one level but it means there's constant noise.

bumblebee2235 · 01/07/2023 09:50

Every holiday I always use to get severe migraines!! Every time... ruined it.

I think it is due to constantly being on the go, like stress energy. The minute you stop and relax a bit is when the body goes bloody hell I'll take advantage of this and catch up with what I need.

Sounds like you need a week off to recuperate

Original poster
C1239 · 01/07/2023 11:07

I think I definitely need to relax more during the week but I don’t get how other people manage to always be busy, have stressful jobs then be busy at the weekend?!

OP posts:
Atthebeachonalilo · 01/07/2023 11:11

I know that this is no help op but it's funny you started this thread I was thinking exactly the same thing.

I work part time and have Fridays off. My job is quite full on and I have things going on in the evenings.

Come Friday and the weekend I always think I'm going to get loads done but a lot of the time I feel exhausted and end up needing to take a nap. I don't drink alcohol and have a healthy lifestyle. I don't know what's wrong with me.

Createausername1970 · 01/07/2023 11:17

I had low blood sugar levels. Fine during the week, I was up early, had breakfast, usually had a snack mid morning, lunch, snack on train home, dinner etc.

Come the weekend, I would have a lie in whenever possible, so by the time I got up late morning, my levels were low and I felt crap all day as a result.

May not apply to you, but try keeping weekend routines similar to weekdays and see if that helps.

Original poster
C1239 · 01/07/2023 15:09

I just don’t know what the solution is. The hours aren’t extremely long although they have been longer recently, normally they are 8-5, I think it’s more that it’s really stressful during those hours and I put quite a lot of stress on myself, can stress really make you feel knackered / unwell?

OP posts:
MintJulia · 01/07/2023 15:43

I usually have an early night on Thursday, have a long bubbly bath, go to bed and read for a bit. No phone. Get a good night's sleep, which puts me in a better place on Friday.

And I do Parkrun on Saturday morning which gets rid of a lot of tension.

similarminimer · 01/07/2023 16:27

Migraine. V sleep sensitive so try getting up at the same time as you do for work.

SchoolShenanigans · 01/07/2023 16:29

Lower your stress during the week. Whether that's talking to your boss, changing jobs or changing how you do things. It's not sustainable if it's making you feel crap as soon as you stop working.

LobeliaSackville · 01/07/2023 16:32

I get migraines if I sleep in at all. I have to get up at 7am sharp or I'll be groggy and nauseous for hours. It could be as simple as how much sleep you're getting on weekdays vs weekends. Are there any other changes to your routine on Friday nights or weekends? Drink more or less caffeine?

Fourfurrymonsters · 01/07/2023 16:55

It definitely sounds like your cortisol levels. I had a very mentally stressful job and used to wake up with a terrible headache every Saturday morning without fail. Nothing would touch it, either.
They’re called “let down headaches” and as a PP has said it’s caused by your body doing everything it needs to keep you going during the week, but as soon as you start to relax Friday evening, it stops doing that and the stress/resulting physical symptoms that your body’s been keeping at bay come flooding in hence you feeling under the weather. Get yourself into a good routine of self-care and decent sleep on a Friday night.

RuthW · 01/07/2023 17:01

I'm similar. I keep going all week and have good intentions every weekend but sleep a lot and lay about.

SwordBilledHummingbird · 01/07/2023 18:16

Sounds like low level fatigue. It's how I used to be before mine got really bad (caused by POTS in my case). As others have said, you need to try to work in some rest during the week, also take some leave if you're able as you might just need a break to reset. Obviously if you have any other symptoms or it gets worse then see your GP.

MrsAnon6 · 01/07/2023 19:30

The best I could suggest is getting a good nights sleep, eating a good healthy diet and getting some exercise. I realise these things are easier said than done when you have a job/life/family ETC but it will definitely help you feel more awake and healthier/less run down. I definitely notice a big difference when I follow a healthier lifestyle vs when I don't. If you are already doing that however but still regularly feel under the weather then it's probably worth seeing the g.p to check if there's anything else amiss. Get well soon.

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