Any advice on how to overcome morning anxiety?

So, for years now, I've been waking up with this pressure on my chest. It's like when I wake up in the morning, all the OCD-induced anxiety just kicks in again. It's hard for me some days to even just get started on my work or anything because the perfectionism and responsibility OCD is so intense it makes it hard to begin. Any advice on how you start your day with OCD to ease some of that anxiety and set yourself up for a more grounded, productive day?

chiapuddingw...

Date posted: Yesterday

Yes this happens to me too. I know it’s hard but don’t start your morning with your phone. Get one of those old school alarm clocks or just look up alarm clock on Amazon and don’t use your phone. Have a simple morning routine. Not a crazy 5 step perfect routine. Normal, simple, an easy enough to do every day. For example, 1) make bed 2) use bathroom, brush teeth, get ready for the day (even if you know you’re staying home- get out of pj’s!!!) 3) eat breakfast 4) simple stretching 5) either write down or verbalize this out loud: your thoughts, what your grateful for, what you want the day to look like, what you want. Talk out loud to a higher being if you believe in one. If not, talk to yourself. Give yourself an hour before getting on your phone. Simple and easy morning routine. Don’t let perfectionism take over. If you skip a step keep going. If you mess up one day, do it the next. Do it imperfectly. I hope this helps. Xx

Coati

Date posted: Yesterday

@chiapuddingwithberries I love all of these suggestions. Thank you so much!! 💜 Literally ordering an old-school clunky alarm clock right now haha

Hart613315

Date posted: Yesterday

@Coati I agree that starting with smaller tasks in the morning helps a while lot. I too feel as if my anxiety is worst in the mornings. I usually start my day with a quick prayer aswell.

chiapuddingw...

Date posted: Yesterday

@Coati Yay! 🩷

AllisonRojas

Date posted: Yesterday

Honestly 5 minutes of fresh air first thing has been game-changing for me. Especially now that I live in AZ where it can get up to 105F+ during the day. Five minutes first thing in the morning might be the only outdoor time I get all day. I like to grab my coffee and head out to the patio as soon as I get up. I stand in the sunlight and take some intentional breaths and listen to the birds. I find that when I take the time to do this I really feel a lot calmer and more grounded throughout the day. I hope that helps 🩷

Coati

Date posted: 20h

@AllisonRojas I love that idea a lot. Thanks for sharing. I might try it! (The coffee is a big motivator)

AllisonRojas

Date posted: 19h

@Coati Nothing gets me out of bed faster than iced coffee! Just gives me something to look forward to. And I have a couple flavored syrups to motivate me on those extra rough days 😂🩷

Buttons B

Date posted: 20h

Healthy sleep hygiene also helps the morning cortisol spikes. Are you getting enough sleep and is the sleep restful?

Coati

Date posted: 20h

@Anonymous Not always. I've always been a bit of a nighthawk. I would say 7/10 the sleep is restful. Melatonin helps me a lot.

Booknerd7

Date posted: 15h

I struggled with this pretty bad last year. No matter what I did, I would wake up with instant heart racing and racing thoughts/anxiety. In my case, I went to the OBGYN and had a hormone panel and they noted that my cortisol/androgen levels were very high. I started taking supplements and I noticed a significant difference. Also, I think my body eventually got tired of waking up with such stress every morning🥲

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