Morning anxiety

[Gillyflower18]

Do any of you wake up suddenly breathing hard with a sinking feeling in your stomach and body? It’s a scary thing.

[Hidden]

This happens to me more often than I would like, Gillyflower18. You are not alone. 💗

Like you say, it can be scary. What I have started to do is to accept that this may happen, keeping in mind that it will pass as the morning progresses. As soon as the sinking feeling starts I begin my deep, slow breathing until I feel myself begin to relax some. I get up and start to distract myself in any way possible. Taking a shower, making coffee or even tidying up some, helps.

There are times when I wake up in the night, out of a deep sleep, with the same dreaded feeling. Always, I get up, go make a chamomile tea and try to read. Staying in bed will only make it worse.

Again, distraction is what works, for me, at least.

[hypercat54]

Oh yes all the time. My solution is the same as snow's - I get up and distract myself with the tv, doing chore, socialising etc. It gets better the more I do. I am retired now and have too much time on my hands to become more neurotic but keep control over it.

It's not a nice feeling but it won't harm you so try not to give it any head room.

[Gillyflower18 in reply to hypercat54]

Thank you ! I guess what I really wanted was to know other people have it too - not that I would wish it on anyone but it helps me feel not so alone.

[Hidden in reply to Gillyflower18]

I completely understand, there is strength in numbers. 🌈

[RemySue]

Mornings and weekends are the worst for me.

[samack in reply to RemySue]

I agree.

[Agora1]

Hi Gillyflower18, what you are experiencing are the classic symptoms of an anxious mind and body. Mornings present with the highest levels of Cortisol and Adrenaline. The averageperson can think of that feeling as an excitement of a new day. The Anxiety ridden person

wakes up in a startle which sets the mind in motion which then prompts the body to respond to high levels of stress.

It can be controlled by understanding how anxiety works as well as accepting it as not

harmful. There is a book on "Hope & Help for Your Nerves" by Dr Claire Weekes, that I

used as by base line in turning my life around. Her videos are also on YouTube. These

might help you not feel so alone. After all, if Dr. Weekes who was a psychiatrist struggled

with Anxiety than anyone can. Her theory of Acceptance has been used over the years and

has helped many of us on this forum as well as all over the world. I'm glad you are here

with us. You are never alone Gillyflower...We stand together in support. xx

[Gillyflower18 in reply to Agora1]

Thank you so much for your kind reply. There are so few people in my life who really understand anxiety and depression I often feel very alone except for my therapist. It’s encouraging to hear from other people like me.

[Agora1 in reply to Gillyflower18]

This is what is so refreshing about this site. We all understand because we have experienced it ourselves. More than that, We Care. xx

[bonkers65]

My anxiety is always worse when I first wake up.

[socratesanne]

This is new to me but I awake with tears. I assumed it might be due to a dream that I do not remember, but it does not seem related to my sleep at all. Hope this helps in your answers and was good you posted this. It helps to know we are not alone in these kinds of early arising feelings.

Baffling to me but it seems more like depression than anxiety. I try to program my subconscious before I go to sleep when I remember. That seems to help periodically but is not fool proof as it almost seems like some kind of lesson I am to learn but falls short of the understanding.

Try to determine the upstart of the tears but do not have an answer as so many possibilities come to mind but none resolve the deep sadness. When you awaken do you know why you are anxious, if I might ask without intruding?

Hope this site helps you.

[Zimarra]

I suffer from this as well