Dealing with the mornings

[lucus123]

Hi

Ok I would like to know what techniques or things people do to get out of slumps.

See almost everyday I’ll think about ending life, serval different ideas run through my mind. Some I have gone as far as testing and that makes the ideas so much more realistic.

I find the mornings the worst,

Just finding meaning to live another long day is effort. I seem to find even in the things that give me joy little enjoyment on these days in particular

Anyone any suggestions on how to

Cope with these thoughts and feeling when they hit the hardest?

I’ve tried a few things such as meditation and running but I find the silence makes it worst

Thank you

First time post

[MattBuckland]

Hi Lucas

I hear you. There are techniques to help with this....

BUT

If you are getting to the point where you are not seeing any enjoyment in anything and having suicidal thoughts very regularly than it is time to deal with some of the deeper aspects of your depression.

So the best things that I have found for mornings and when I manage it I often feel better and when I get out of the routine feel worse are.

1. Make time, don't rush

2. Evening before write out a list of of tasks for tomorrow.

3. Get out of bed as soon as possible after waking and get a glass of water down

4. Have a peaceful 15mins with a cup of tea and wake up

5. Have a proper breakfast

6. Go for a walk (30mins) and let a few of the thoughts in and try to sift fact from fiction, challenge the thoughts and also if you are feeling bad let yourself know that it is okay to not be feeling good, be kind to yourself.

7. Calmly take 10mins to go through the list making sure it is realistic and start the day

Rinse and repeat. As for silence, put a bit of music on, amazing how much of a boost that can give.

Really simple stuff and may not work for you but it is a discipline and not as intense as running or even meditating which can sometimes be harder than people assume.

I hope that you have some better days ahead, please look after yourself and if those really bad thoughts start to spiral then if you are in the UK, phone Samaritans or after 6 and on weekends Breathing Spaces, sometimes this is enough to 'put the breaks on'.

Thinking of you, Matt

[lucus123 in reply to MattBuckland]

Honestly this is first time I’ve been able to be honest and put a message out there about these feelings. And getting a reply from someone who gets what I’m saying is a great feeling. Thank you for the advice

[MAS_Nurse]

Hello lucus123,

Welcome to this supportive community. I think you will find many folks on here will identify and empathize with how you are feeling, and will offer support and advice. I assume that you have discussed how you are feeling with your local doctor? If not, it maybe worth a visit and chat, as there maybe other health issues to consider that might be exacerbating your low moods. Not only can they offer medications, but may have access to local talking therapies which may help you identify why you feel like this, and what to do to bring change. Take a look at our Pinned post section at our free guides on mental health. Also, keep our International Crisis helpline numbers handy, especially if you are in crisis and feeling suicidal. If you live in the UK:

The Samaritans Tel: 116 123 [24 hours line]

NHS: 999 [Emergencies]

NHS 111 [Non-Emergencies]

Ok folks, over to you, what do you think?

Keep posting! Take care.

[Frozenimages]

The replies are really good. I like Matt's ideas. I try to apply a lot of those suggestions to help get me going. I do have the same feelings a lot of mornings. I use to be able to get up early, put something on my stomach, stretch, get the blood pumping, and even do a little exercise. Something happened though. Just like being hit by a bus in the mornings. Finding it hard to get up, so tired, feel achy all over, feeling of dread sweep over knowing that the start to a very bad morning is about to happen. I find it very hard to gather enough energy to even get out of bed.

One of my go to things when I'm feeling really down (I agree, the silence makes it worse) is I will listen to music that is energetic and makes me feel awake. Or I will find motivational speeches on youtube. Some may say it is cliché or silly, which I thought too at first. However, once I started finding ones that really stuck a chord with me, I find them uplifting. Telling me they know how hard it is, how there are days where you feel like you just can't move, you're stuck, asking why me, why does this happen to me. Then they follow up with inspirational speeches, ones that make me want to push harder, not give up, saying that we never quit, never give up, we have the strength. Even talking about it makes me want to go listen to the audio clips.

The thoughts are still there. In the background. The insidious thoughts that want to drag me down. It's hard to not listen. When you're tired, stressed, feeling beaten, ill.. it makes it really hard. I have to keep telling myself, it's only a bad day, not a bad life. You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it.