Today I will be sharing some tips for overcoming morning anxiety and what measures I have put in place in the past to help with it. Do you struggle with morning anxiety? Are the first thoughts that enter your mind so negative and so dreadful…
Today I will be talking about overcoming sleep anxiety. For some people, it happens like clockwork: Their anxiety is manageable during the day, but as soon as their head hits the pillow, every possible bad scenario plays out in their mind. Falling asleep is hard…
Today I will be discussing natural ways to reduce morning anxiety and what measures I have put in place in the past to help with it.
Do you struggle with morning anxiety?
Are the first thoughts that enter your mind so negative and so dreadful that you regret waking up in the first place?
Morning anxiety is very real, I would suffer from this terrible illness on a day-to-day basis.
If you suffer from panic attacks, dreadful morning fear, and of course depression, this post will come to your aid.
Of course, if you really need help and feel very depressed? Please seek the help of a doctor over anything else that you read today.
But if you do feel like you can combat this yourself or if mornings aren’t your thing, then this is your post!
Let’s help you wake up to pleasant and peaceful thoughts each morning with some effective and positive habits that helped me when overcoming morning anxiety!
Disclaimer: I am not in any way a certified Therapist/Counsellor, so all the advice given is from my own experience and should not be taken as medical advice.
According to Calm Clinic, “most people define (morning anxiety) as anxiety either immediately after waking up or anxiety that tends to build over the first hour or so upon awakening.”
As far as symptoms go, everyone experiences anxiety differently, but here are just a few signs of morning anxiety listed by Healthy Place:
Morning anxiety is caused by many different factors. For example, we produce higher levels of cortisol– which is a stress hormone — in the mornings.
Aside from an increase in cortisol levels, Health Line adds that things like environmental factors and low blood sugar can contribute to morning anxiety.
Although waking up with these symptoms is devastating, there are steps you can take to relieve morning anxiety and still have a good day.
Here are some tips I have put together that have helped me overcome morning anxiety.
Your morning routine doesn’t need to involve waking up at 5 a.m. and reciting empowering mantras (but if it does, that’s OK, too).
A good morning routine is about making space for yourself to get ready for the day.
It’s important to build a mindful morning routine that works for you. Some suggestions you can try include:
Mindfulness meditation is practiced by focusing the mind on the present and keeping your thoughts from wandering into the past and future.
It focuses on breath awareness to draw attention to your body, open up your senses and anchor you into the present and your immediate surroundings.
By implementing Mindfulness meditation into your morning, it will help calm down your mind.
The more you practice, the more enjoyable it becomes and more benefits you see.
If you wake up thinking of every single “what if” or worst-case scenario, you might be experiencing anticipatory anxiety.
Essentially, it’s when the uncertainty about a possible future event gets in the way of your functioning.
For example, if you have a presentation at work, you might worry you’ll forget your talking points or that the file will somehow get deleted, leading to excessive worrying.
These anxious thought loops stem from a desire to feel in control over what may or may not happen.
But the more you try to manage the outcomes, the more anxious you’ll feel.
Letting feelings of anxiety go isn’t easy, but there are a few things you can do to detach from the “what ifs”:
Before we get started, there’s one mistake you cannot afford to make. This morning mistake will screw up your entire day.
Go to bed early the night before!
Sleep is not only for the weak. It’s the best way to stay strong all day.
Are all-nighters worth bragging about? Maybe they’re fine once in a while when they can’t be avoided but otherwise – staying up late constantly isn’t a sign of working hard; it’s working too much, working inefficiently and mismanaging your time.
I use to be one of those people who stayed up to the early hours of the morning, then wake up like and zombie and head off to work feeling like I had just been dug up!
Not anymore though!
Without enough sleep, you’ll start the day with a mind that’s not 100% energised – no matter how many times you give yourself a good slap on the face.
The worst part? Imagine your brain failing in the departments of common sense and alertness.
Around 16 million Brits experience side effects of sleep deprivation every night!
And studies suggest they can range from less obvious stuff – like a lack of focus or attention – to crying over small things, or a lower reaction time while driving or pouring coffee!
Speaking of coffee – don’t rely on it to overcome sleep deprivation. I enjoy my morning coffee as much as the next person. But I also know caffeine has its limitations.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-8 hours of sleep (or 9 if possible) for the average adult.
I have about 6/7, which suits me fine.
Effective coping mechanisms significantly prevent anxiety from taking over one’s life. However, building a morning routine and adaptive ways to cope with anxiety takes time.
Once a suitable routine as per a person’s liking has been found, he or she is advised to stick to it to reduce anxiety in the morning.
Although it would be hard to enforce such a stringent routine in the beginning, adhering to it would provide stability and consistency in the person’s life.
One of the reasons you may feel anxious in the morning is because you feel rushed. Waking up earlier is a great way to get ready at a slower, more peaceful pace.
When you wake up earlier, you have more time to focus on things like self-care (which will be a part of your morning routine for anxiety relief).
If you are rushing around and then flying out of the door every morning, start waking up between 5:00am – 6:30am depending on when you have to leave.
You want to wake up a couple of hours before you need to be somewhere. And, remember, start small and build up
Exercise is one of those habits that everyone talks about. It makes you roll your eyes when you hear or read about it. Like what else is new? Exercise is good for you.
To me, exercise is a very important habit physically and mentally. I especially notice how much it impacts my life when I don’t do it.
I become stressed, I’m also reactive and it shows in my relationships, in my work and in the decisions I make.
I can’t seem to stay clear and objective when I don’t do it. Plus, I just feel tired and ache all the time.
So, I try to make exercise a part of my day whether it would be by walking for at least an hour, going to the gym, stretching, running or doing an at home workout.
It has become a part of my life and it fits naturally. If it’s still not a part of your daily routine, just try it.
There’s no need to wait until stress rises to use breathing methods for well-being.
You experience balance and harmony when your breaths are of equal length and depth.
As inhaling and exhaling uniformly are the natural response to inner peace, your brain thinks you are relaxed even when you breathe this way intentionally.
Take deep, even breaths throughout the day to preserve well-being.
Since you are not rushing, you are now able to sit down and eat a healthy nutritious breakfast.
Eating a healthy breakfast as part of your morning routine before work will help you to be more productive.
Moreover, the breakfast will provide the energy needed to fuel your brain.
Additionally, eating breakfast will keep you full for longer, eliminating the need for you to consume high and empty calories which will harm your body.
Furthermore, while sitting down to eat your breakfast you can read a few pages of a positive mental attitude book or any other self-development book.
Goals tend to add structure to our days. Having structure and routine may help anxiety.
What are three things you want to accomplish today?
Start off by making them simple, such as eating fruit with breakfast.
The more you set goals for yourself, the more they become ingrained into your habits.
I find that having a simple fitness goal every day is super beneficial.
I recommend trying a 30-day squat or crunch challenge. You can find loads of them Pinterest.
Before or after your shower, your choice, take a short walk. I prefer to go after my shower because the shower wakes me up, while the walk gets me pumped for the day.
Others may prefer to take a shower after the walk.
First of all, we all need exercise on a daily basis. Without it, we are way more prone to anxiety and depression.
So, instead of going to the gym after your day is over, start your day with a little exercise.
A 30-minute walk is a great way to get out of the house, enjoy nature, and get your blood pumping.
Not only does it do the body well, but it improves your mood as well.
Going to bed worrying that tomorrow will be another day of worrying and upset doesn’t resolve the issue what so ever – it will snowball into a huge problem that wasn’t there in the first place.
It’s time to switch up your attitude. Go to bed expecting to be upset in the morning, and tell yourself it will probably be there regardless of whether you worry or not.
Tell yourself that when you wake up and the anxiety hits, that it’s ok to feel worried, nervous, shaken.
It’s not a big deal, you can handle it. You can do whatever you need to do, you can get through today. Believe in you.
It’s easier said than done, isn’t it? It’s easy to say: “tomorrow I will be positive”.
Because sometimes, just sometimes, you will wake up and think: “I just don’t have the energy to do that today”.
And that is when you’re most vulnerable to anxiety taking over your entire day.
So, whether it’s writing on a sticky note or leaving a reminder on your phone, have a backup option to help you out when you need that extra bit of encouragement and positivity in the morning.
A gentle reminder that reads something as simple as “you can do this” can make all the difference.
It’s always great to start the day with gratitude.
This will help you start the day with a positive attitude.
Journaling has been shown to help manage anxiety, reduce stress, and cope with depression.
A great place to start is to write down three things you are grateful for, three things you hope to accomplish that day, and three things you were able to accomplish the day before.
Purchase a book, research it on YouTube. The Mindfulness practice is life changing when used consistently and persistently!
Imagine finally drifting off into a peaceful sleep in a dark room and cosy bed, to be woken up by a pounding alarm and harsh bright lights and the chill of getting out of bed.
Environmental aggravations like these can soon welcome you to your worst day ever.
It’s vital to infuse positive energy into your home to wake up peacefully and ensure the best possible start to your day.
Minimise your chances of anxiety by making your surroundings more peaceful.
Small alterations such as a soothing alarm clock instead of an ear-splitting cuckoo noise, having slippers and a comfy dressing gown to slip into in the morning instead of having to bear the freezing cold mornings and a dimmer switch on your bedside lamp instead of blinding spotlights.
A simple yet vital daily requirement, drinking water. This not only hydrates you but improves your bodily functions, preventing headaches, washes out toxins from the body, and helps with weight loss.
Drinking water can solve other problems such as clearing skin issues and providing mental clarity.
One way to drink more water is to keep a water bottle with you at all times so you can hydrate yourself throughout the day.
I personally like to drink room temperature and hot water; this helps with digestion.
In an ideal world, your day shouldn’t begin with the phone.
Reading about stressful news events before your day even begins compounds anxiety.
Be mindful of what media you ingest, especially in the morning.
I recommend trying to keep your mind blank and your thoughts your own for the first hour of the day.
Morning anxiety can be beaten.
It’s nothing more than an extension of what’s going on in your life and what kind of lifestyle you lead.
If it happens consistently without any apparent reason, you should definitely talk to a medical professional.
Otherwise, a few changes to your lifestyle and better self-care can help you overcome morning anxiety easily.
I would love to hear your thoughts on what you are doing to change your life in the coming days and years!
If you have any questions please reach out to me via adam@adam-lawrence.org. I would love to hear from you!
I really hope you found inspiration in this article.
I would love to hear what tips you have to combat morning anxiety – please share them below!
Hello! My name is Adam and welcome to my space on the internet. Here you can find me writing about subjects such as spiritual growth, self-discovery, expanding your awareness, inner peace, self-care and mental health. Please connect with me on my journey and join the community!
Today I will be discussing anxiety attack tips and techniques that have helped me in the past when I would suffer with them. Anxiety attacks are truly terrifying, something anyone who has suffered having one will agree with. Your heart beats out of your chest,…
Today we will be talking you through tips for managing stress and anxiety. It is normal to feel stressed or anxious amidst a global pandemic where everything seems tragic, drastic, and messy on our lovely blue planet. The rising spread of COVID-19 and the fear it has…
Today we will be talking you through tips for overcoming social anxiety.
All of us have spent a big chunk of the last 18 months locked away inside, not seeing anybody outside of our household.
Even with the lockdowns now eased in July 2021, groups of people were still having to shield or isolate.
Although cases are on the rise again, restrictions have been eased and life has returned to some resemblance of normal (for now).
Are you even a little worried about how to cope with summer socialising now that we’re being offered a glimpse of freedom?
After a year of staying in, watching a lot more TV than usual, having the same conversations with the same people, do you feel the need to brush up on your conversation skills before meeting friends and family in person?
The glimpse of freedom brings with it excitement, it also brings with it anxiety, stress and worry.
We have compiled some tips to help us all deal with the social anxiety as lockdown eases and how to ease ourselves back into normal life.
Disclaimer: I am not in any way a certified councillor/therapist, therefore all advice given is from my own experience and should not be taken as medical advice.
Social anxiety disorder, sometimes referred to as social phobia, is a type of anxiety disorder that causes extreme fear in social settings.
People with this disorder have trouble talking to people, meeting new people, and attending social gatherings.
They fear being judged or scrutinized by others. They may understand that their fears are irrational or unreasonable, but feel powerless to overcome them.
Social anxiety is different from shyness. Shyness is usually short-term and doesn’t disrupt one’s life. Social anxiety is persistent and debilitating. It can affect one’s ability to:
Individuals with social anxiety can experience both physical and mental symptoms.
These physical symptoms heighten a person’s fear of judgement causing them further mental distress and thus are more likely to develop the physical symptoms. The combination can cause the individual to become stuck in a cycle of worry.
During the pandemic, a lot of people found themselves using language they weren’t used to saying, such as “no” or “I’m not doing this during the pandemic,” and that’s great. Practicing boundaries is essential for your well-being.
Knowing your limits is needed in order to keep you safe and protected. So just because the world around us is starting the process of transitioning back to certain pre-pandemic ways of being, doesn’t mean you have to go back to your old habits.
You still get to decide what you want to expose yourself to and what you don’t.
I suggest you think about what boundaries you want to implement within these three dimensions: time, physical, and emotional. Then start sharing them with your co-workers, friends, and families.
If you find it difficult to say ‘no’, learn how – now. Being able to say ‘no’ will be your saviour, especially if you have decided you’re going to continue with a quieter life.
Try this proven method. Ask yourself, if I say ‘yes’ to this meeting or event, what am I saying ‘no’ to.
For example, if you say ‘yes’ to two get-togethers in one day are you saying ‘no’ to your mindful walk or your precious reading time?
Which option nourishes you and your wellbeing? That’s the option you choose to say ‘yes’ to.
If you’re someone who has been working remotely during the pandemic, it’s possible that you may find yourself in a position where you are being called back into the office, even if you’re not ready to go there.
There may not be a way to get out of that reality, but there are ways you can work through your difficult emotions around this by practicing self-soothing techniques to regulate your feelings.
When we are emotionally dysregulated, our executive functioning skills are compromised, which can lead to poor choices and an inability to effectively problem-solve.
To help combat this, when you feel emotionally overwhelmed and anxious, try to engage in practices that bring you back to your centre, such as the grounding techniques, meditation, mindfulness, and engaging with sensory items like a stress ball.
There’s nothing wrong with having a drink or two if it helps you relax and feel more comfortable talking to people.
In fact, the confidence boost gained from alcohol is commonly called ‘Dutch courage’.
But relying on alcohol and drugs to get through social interactions can become problematic if it’s done irresponsibly or develops into an unhealthy dependence or addiction.
The misuse of substances can be damaging for you and the people around you.
Becoming intoxicated at a party or social event can also cause what’s called ‘hangxiety’.
Ever woken up after a night of drinking and feel anxious and panicked about what you might have said and done?
That’s hangxiety – and it can make your social anxiety worse. So always drink responsibly.
Accept how you feel. It’s normal to feel a level of social anxiety after a year of being apart from others – go easy on yourself.
Start slowly. Be honest with family and friends, let them know what’s going on for you. Meet a close friend or family member first.
Close connections are beneficial for mental health, so if you can’t cope with too many get-togethers right now, going at a pace you can handle is crucial for your wellbeing.
During conversation those who struggle with social anxiety can be distracted by their negative thoughts or fears about what the other person is thinking about them.
Instead, truly listen to what is being said and do your best to remain authentic, engaged and attentive.
Focusing on what others contribute to the conversation will also help you stay in the moment, instead of worrying about what you’re going to say next or giving yourself a difficult time for an awkward moment that has already passed.
Journaling, writing down your worries and how you feel about them brings you clarity on why exactly you’re feeling anxious.
Use your notebook or journal to write – just begin to write about what exactly you’re worried about.
Why are you concerned? Is it because you have no stories to tell? Is it because you have come to enjoy the habit of solitude and you’re unsure how to ‘be’ with people you haven’t seen for so long?
Write about how these thoughts make you feel. Dig deep and write about what it is exactly bothers you about socialising again.
What’s the worst that can happen? How likely is it that the worst will happen? Even if it does happen, how bad will this really be? What are your options to cope?
Gratitude journaling takes your mind off what’s bothering you, brings you to a more positive place where you feel less anxious about many aspects of life.
When your mind is more positive, use this as a springboard for taking action.
Some people find it helpful to prepare in advance because it decreases their anxiety somewhat.
Questions are good – when you ask questions, others will be delighted to open-up to you – always a great recipe for successful socialising.
Don’t go over the top with planning however, as you may end up stressing yourself even more. Go with the flow as much as you can.
Worried about meeting someone with whom you don’t have a great relationship, either alone or in a group?
Give some thought to how you’ll be; what you’ll say – and what you won’t say or do. Take into account that the other person may be feeling tense about the situation too.
This will give you a different perspective. Have an exit plan – and be prepared to action your exit plan if, and when you need to.
Depending on the severity of your anxiety, shaky hands or a tremble in one’s voice might cause your social anxiety to feel additionally obvious to those around you.
Although these too often go unnoticed, it can be useful in these situations to remember that the majority of people have experienced anxiety at a point in their lives, and it’s unlikely that they will form a negative impression of you for it.
Remember all those times you caught up with friends, presented in front of a group, or made an important phone call and everything went just fine?
We tend to focus on the negatives and forget all the successful social interactions we’ve had over the years.
If you’re nervous or anxious before a social event, try to think of a few recent cases where you had a positive experience.
If you’re worried about socialising indoors, organise to meet people outside for walks, swims, picnics. Write a list of things you like to do, then take steps to include others in your activities.
Consider how others are feeling. Think about how you can help others to feel at ease when you meet. Reassuring others will automatically take you out of your own head and calm your thoughts.
A journal can be your therapist and your friend. Reading various articles can give you ideas on how to cope.
If your anxiety becomes overwhelming however, and you need further professional help, now is a great time to reach out coaches, counsellors and therapists are trained, ready and willing to help.
I would love to hear your thoughts on what you are doing to change your life in the coming days and years!
If you have any questions please reach out to me via adam@adam-lawrence.org. I would love to hear from you!
I really hope you found inspiration in this article.
Hello! My name is Adam and welcome to my space on the internet. Here you can find me writing about subjects such as spiritual growth, self-discovery, expanding your awareness, inner peace, self-care and mental health. Please connect with me on my journey and join the community!
Today I will talking you though natural ways to help with anxiety. Does anxiety come at you in the most inconvenient times? Do you suffer from not having the right tricks to help reduce your anxiety on the spot? If you’re an anxious person, then…