3 days ago · Here are the three most common, research-supported reasons you might be wakingup anxious, and what they mean for your mental and physical health. 1. · Most of us hit the ground running in the morning as we try to get ourselves ready and where we need to be on time.
Understanding the Context
A lot might have to happen between wakingup and your first commitment of the day. · Morning anxiety is when you wake up feeling worried, scared, or stressed. It’s more than just feeling tired when you wake up. It can make it hard for you to start yourday without feeling nervous or anxious.
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Key Insights
It’s important to know what causes morning anxiety, what the symptoms are, and how to manage it to keep your mental and emotional health in good shape.What is Morning Anxiety?Morning ... You may wake up with anxiety if you’ve been worried about something or are dealing with excess stress. In some cases, it may indicate an anxiety disorder. Self-care strategies, among other treatments, may provide relief.Do you ever experience racing thoughts or anxiety in the morning before you even have a chance to get out of bed? If you do, you’re not alone.
Final Thoughts
See full list on healthline.comAlthough not a medical term, morning anxiety refers to waking up with feelings of stress and worry. You may experience it if you’re going through a stressful time, dealing with changes in your life, or experiencing distress.It may be worth talking with a mental health professional if you regularly deal with excessive anxiety, worry, and stress in the morning. In this case, waking up with anxiety can indicate an anxiety disorder that could benefit from treatment.Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive and uncontrolled worry that pervades daily life and occurs frequently for at least 6 months. People with GAD typically worry about everyday activities. This may include anxiety about:•work•education•moneySee full list on healthline.comAnxiety can affect your overall health.If you experience anxiety upon waking, you may have symptoms that include: •feeling restless, “on edge,” or “wound up”•irritability•fatigue•signs of an anxiety attack, such as a tight chest, tense muscles, faster heart rate, or rapid breathingSee full list on healthline.comThe causes of morning anxiety can be the same ones that may contribute to an anxiety disorder. Since morning anxiety is a reaction to excess stress and worries, several potential causes may contribute to your symptoms.
•anticipation and worry about the day ahead or a future event•stress about something that occurred in the past•an increase in the “stress hormone” cortisol, which typically happens within the first hour of waking•caffeine or sugar intake, both of which may cause or worsen anxietyIf you go to bed worrying or wake up during the night with anxious thoughts, you may also feel anxious and concerned about your day in the morning.See full list on healthline.comPhysical activityThe American Association of Anxiety and Depression recommends regular exercise to help reduce anxiety symptoms. In addition to increasing your mental and physical fitness, physical activity can: •lift your mood •reduce anxiety symptoms •improve your body’s ability to handle stress •help you relax •reduce tension •improve sleepAim to exercise regularly — at least 5 days per week for 30–45 minutes each session — to get the full benefit. Some options for exercise include: •brisk walking •yoga •swimming •bicycling •jogging •dancing •taking a fitness classPracticing mindfulness and meditationThe goal of meditation practice is self-awareness, or the ability to observe and identify your thoughts, feelings, and body states in the present moment without reacting to them. Mindfulness involves redirecting your thoughts back to the present moment — and you can get better at it with practice.