What is Morning Anxiety and How to Deal with It

I used to be a very optimistic person. I was the kind who would always look at the brighter side of a bad situation; however, these days, there are times I become too emotional and hopeless.

People around me might not know that there are times I don’t want to talk with anybody-— not my friends or family. There were times when I felt so empty and sad upon waking up. It’s terrible to wake up feeling emotional and sick inside.

I decided to do some things that might help me deal with morning anxiety. I would like to share with you what worked for me, so read on if it’s something you need to know today.

What Causes Morning Anxiety?

While everyone occasionally experiences anxiety, people with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) feel extremely worried more frequently, and sometimes for no reason at all. Too much stress and lack of sleep may also trigger morning anxiety.

If you wake up feeling an unexplainable emptiness and sadness, you may have GAD. This condition is persistent and may interfere with daily activities, but the good thing is, it’s manageable and treatable.

What You Can Do When You Have Morning Anxiety

Finding something to keep you distracted is easy. Here are some ideas to start with:

1. Work out or Stretch

I stopped exercising for a while because of laziness, but I felt better when I did it. You don’t have to spend much time on it; a few minutes will do.

Try to turn your stereo on and dance to the beat. You don’t have to worry if you’re an awkward dancer like me. If you’re in your room, no one could see it.

Just try to think of a happy thought and focus on the good feeling it could give you afterward. You can also try some cardio exercises. The more you sweat, the more you can release the anxiety.

2. Get Your Devotional Guide and Read Your Bible

You can use some background music too. Choose some songs that are soft enough to accompany your meditation.

Write down some important things you’ve pondered. You might need them later.

3. Pray

I don’t think I have to explain the power of prayer. Pray by yourself or with friends. You may ask someone you trust to include you in his/her prayers. Let it all out to God.

You can cry if that helps you feel lighter. The good thing about talking to God is that you will never be judged, so you can truly be honest with everything. Acknowledge the cause of your sadness and pray for them.

4. Acknowledge the Cause of Your Emptiness

Encourage yourself to accept that you can’t have all the things you want but can still achieve something wonderful. Knowing the cause of the problem is important. It will help you discern what you can do to deal with your situation.

However, you should focus more on what you have than what you don’t have. Make a list of the things you used to wish for that you already have now. You’ll be amazed to see how blessed you are.

5. Read an Encouraging Book

Find a book about positive thinking and highlight the most inspiring quotes you can find. If you don’t know where to start, you can try Dr. Norman Vincent Peale’s books. Here are some examples:

• The Power of Positive Thinking
• Positive Thinking Every Day
• Enthusiasm Makes the Difference
• The Amazing Results of Positive Thinking
• The Tough-Minded Optimist
• The Positive Principle Today
• A Guide to Confident Living

6. Do a Hobby

Each of us has something or things that we are passionate about doing. We can use those things to get occupied. For instance, if you love music, listen to or sing your favorite song. If you’re a foodie, eat out with friends or try cooking a new recipe.

Doing nothing will just nurse the emptiness, so get busy and do what you love!

Wrap Up

Stress and lack of sleep may cause morning anxiety and this phenomenon may hinder your regular activities. To successfully deal with it, you must know the reason why it happens and then do something you love and enjoy. Doing so will relax your mind.

These are the things that worked for me. I’m not sure if they will be perfect for someone else since we all have our peculiarities. You can still try them though.