Sunday funday? 2 in 3 call the weekend ‘productive' if they get 1 thing done

NEW YORK — The traditional dread associated with Sundays, often termed the “Sunday Scaries,” might be fading away. A recent survey finds that a whopping 88 percent of adults relish getting tasks done on Sundays.

This poll, which involved 2,000 U.S. adults, also found that 64 percent believe an early start on Sunday paves the way for a successful day. When participants were questioned about their definition of a “productive day,” some saw productivity as completing their to-do lists (36%), while others equated it with spending quality time with loved ones (29%). Others associated it with meal prepping (28%), running errands (28%), or just getting adequate rest (17%). Interestingly, for two in three respondents, accomplishing just one task was satisfactory for a productive day.

The survey, conducted by OnePoll in collaboration with Samsung Electronics America, also highlights the trade-offs associated with maintaining productivity. Over four in 10 (42%) often felt the need to forego other activities to keep their momentum going. This juggling act sometimes includes hastily finishing household chores right before a major TV event. In fact, 57 percent admitted to missing pivotal TV moments to manage housework. Among the hurriedly completed tasks were washing dishes (51%), cooking meals (48%), and disposing of trash (40%). Nearly half the respondents (48%) cleverly utilize commercial breaks to get chores done.

“It's evident that people aim to optimize their weekends, yet striking a balance between chores and relaxation remains a challenge,” says spokesperson James Fishler, Senior Vice President of the Home Entertainment & Display Division at Samsung Electronics America, in a statement.

In maximizing their time, over half admitted to multitasking with the TV on, typically involving two screens simultaneously. Yet, this practice isn’t devoid of downsides: 47 percent expressed feelings of stress when engaging with multiple screens. While multitasking, the top TV activities included streaming shows or movies (48%), listening to music (40%), or watching sports (36%). However, 56 percent stay engrossed in what they’re watching, whereas 36 percent find themselves preoccupied with pending household tasks.

“Connected devices offer an efficient way to navigate weekends. For instance, with a smart TV, one can enjoy a game and video call a friend without skipping any significant moments. Furthermore, smart TVs can now manage other smart devices, from notifying when your laundry's done to controlling robotic vacuums or even checking your refrigerator inventory,” Fishler emphasizes.

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 general population Americans was commissioned by Samsung Electronics America between Oct. 2 and Oct. 5, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).

Lea la versión en español en EstudioRevela.com: ¿Domingo divertido? Dos de cada tres consideran el fin de semana ‘productivo’ si logran hacer una cosa.