I read a great blog post over at The Reality of Anxiety about morning anxiety. It talks about how is it possible to go from a state of relaxtion to one of anxiety and panic?
The symptoms of morning anxiety can be contributed to the physiological aspect of anxiety. Including higher levels of cortisol production and low blood sugar, due to not eating throughout the night. But like any anxiety trigger.. it is simply that, a trigger.
However, there is also a psychological side of anxiety. Remember that thoughts are things. Your thoughts will control your beliefs which control your feelings which control your action to produce your habits, and thus your reality. So, although these physiological triggers may be present in the morning, the catalyst that fuels the fire of panic and anxiety is really how you think about the whole situation.
Aimee makes use of distractions to ward off her morning anxiety. She mentions she wakes up and loses herself in a game of Scrabble on her iPhone. But is avoidance a good strategy? Or does it only offer temporary relief for that time. I think its nothing more than paint on rust. Temporary repair at best.
The way you think is the most important factor influencing your morning anxiety. You need to stop worrying about having morning anxiety and start embracing the new day instead. Sounds simple, and it is. Try these tips and let me know how it works for you.
- Make A To-do List Prior To Bed.
This will give you direction instead of distractions once you awake. - Get Yourself An Alarm Clock That Gradually Wakes You Up
The loud buzz of traditional alarm clocks immediately shoots you into immediate shock upon waking up, adding only to enhance your physiological triggers caused by the already high levels of cortisol in your body. - Turn Some Music On.
Music ( sound vibrations) have a way of changing your own personal vibrational state. Turn up your favorite tunes and groove like no one is watching.
