The blues that occur on Sunday afternoons are not only linked to the prospect of returning to work or school, but a period of inactivity that encourages introspection, according to philosophy professor Gilles Vervisch . 

You may be familiar with this strange feeling on Sunday afternoon between 4 and 6 p.m.

A feeling of suspended time, a wavering, during which one does not really know what to do.

There is no more time to embark on a project.

So, we are there, between boredom, depression and anxiety.

But what is it exactly? 

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The only time of the week when you are confronted with yourself 

Many imagine that the blues are linked to returning to work (or school) on Monday: we no longer have the prospect of weekend celebrations, the one that puts us in a good mood on Friday evening.

Sunday morning it is still fine because there is Sunday afternoon.

But at 4 p.m., it's over.

We only have a horizon of going back to school or work, hence the anxiety.

But this explanation is actually a bit simplistic. 

Philosophy professor Gilles Vervisch, author of

How to escape the boredom of Sunday

afternoon

(Ed. Flammarion), explains that this blues is much deeper than the simple anxiety of the beginning of the week ahead.

It's actually the only little moment of the week when you find yourself confronted with yourself.

"Sunday afternoon is that time of break between Saturday activities and the work of the week. We're not quite busy. It's a kind of suspension where, well, we could take some time off. time to think a little about the meaning of his life, "he explains at the microphone of Europe 1.

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Tips and tricks against the seasonal blues

Ask yourself about the meaning of your life

"I have the blues. Why do I have the blues? Because I'm trying to ask myself if everything I do all week, from morning to night, really has meaning, an interest", illustrates Gilles again. Vervisch.

"Finally wondering what I'm doing here, generally for a living."

Two solutions are then available: occupy yourself to forget your spleen, by watching series, for example.

Or, make this moment fruitful by making music or by going for a run or swimming, because these are times when thought is freed.

And if you get creative, don't hesitate to write.