Changing mornings changes my day

[[bl...]]

For me, and what seems like 99% of the rest of us, mornings are almost universally terrible. Usually I wake up feeling like I got clobbered upside the head, run over by a truck, and pushed down a flight of stairs. If I don't have a headache and cog fog for hours after waking, I can count myself lucky.

 

Lately however, I've begun to realize that since I've battled back at everything else during recovery, maybe it's time to take the same approach with mornings.

 

Some of the things I'm trying to do are waking earlier. I often lay in bed for hours after my brain turns on, accomplishing nothing but simply laying there pointlessly trying to get back to sleep. When I get up even an hour earlier than normal, I feel a greater sense of accomplishment.

 

I'm also starting to realize/remember the importance of eating right away as soon as I wake up. I got into the habit of maybe having a couple pieces of toast and then guzzling a cup of coffee, which ends up kicking my butt later on. Coffee is great in some ways, it gives me a nice little cognitive boost, but it also makes me highly susceptible to anxiety and prone to skip meals.

 

I'm also thinking that if I go to the gym and get that out of the way an hour after getting out of bed, that might actually change my entire outlook (I'm pretty sure of this).

 

So with all that said, I'm actually interested to see what others have to say about their mornings. I'd like other suggestions or tips as to what you did to propel yourself out of your morning ruts. This is easily the biggest obstacle I'm facing right now to full recovery. My days tend to be pretty good on average aside from the first 2 or 3 hours.

[[Ce...]]

Morning aren't great for me either! I wake up, if I sleep, and try to go back to sleep, too! I watch TV until I can get my momentum up enough to go out into the kitchen to get some coffee (decaf, for sure) look out the door to see what kind of day it is, weatherwise, then go back to bed! BORING!

 

I don't eat breakfast. I only eat dinner. And then I wonder why I don't feel better? Crazy! It's so strange, too. My mind knows better, but I feel so defeated sometimes and I just give in.

 

I haven't given up on myself tho. I really believe I'll come around, it's just a matter of time, because I've pulled thru so many times before.

 

Anyway, thanks for bringing this to my attention, blandthrax, it's a reminder to me to try and mix things up a bit. I have changed my am's before and you are right, it makes me feel as if I've accomplished something. And working out in the morning is a lot better than doing it in the afternoon/evening.

 

Thanks again! CeCe 

[[Mo...]]

You are A+ spot on my friend. Coincidentally, I just wrote out my "great comeback" schedule this morning!

 

1) Get up immediately on wake (i usually lay there thinking harmful thoughts also... duh)

2) take the meds (that solves the "did I take it?" problem)

3) get on the bike and go till I sweat, turn around go home (that takes about 30-40 min)

4) do basic yoga and stretches for my back (eh 15 min)

5) meditate (about 45min)

6) chores

 

I recently got hit with a wave (eh..tsunami) and was unable to do these simple things. Unfortunately I had to add Zyprexa to recover to a place where I am now lucky enough to be able to do this basic morning routine.

 

It reminds me of something I thought before about this recovery business... "If you can do it ... do it!" Nike was right. Point being, I don't think I will EVER take another MOMENT of health/sanity for granted. I've been through screaming hell dear friends. I'm so glad to be back. Blessings to you all. YES! May you be happy!

 

 

[[bl...]]

Thankfully I don't have to deal with the meds part, though I do still have to take a little crumb of Remeron at night.

 

Mornings are when I'm at my most vulnerable. No matter how good I feel the day or night before, I always wake up feeling more or less the same way (see: hit by truck feeling). One thing I did early on in this process was establish a ritual for my nights, but I've been floundering over mornings, mostly because I feel so weak and ineffectual. The impact mornings have on my brain are pretty crazy, so being able to just go at it automatically (don't think, just do) is probably the only way to get over this.

 

I take nothing for granted either. I was listening to NPR today and turned it off and then I was like, "wait, turn it back on, I was actually listening to enjoying that!" In the past I would've had to turn off the radio because anything would just distract me and make me anxious. How times have changed. I appreciate everything now.

[[Ja...]]

I definitely have to say that first thing in the morning sucks. 

I have been getting up instead of laying there though and did notice that laying there just creates negative thoughts. I need to start a healthier diet and exercising.

[[me...]]

I actually enjoy mornings a lot since I no longer have depression.

 

I have a very set routine--get up, get a cup of decaf, read two papers with hubby, fill out sleep log, eat something (or not), check emails, get ready for work. Having a routine makes it very nice. It is also wonderful to be greeted by my little dog who is just thrilled to see me first thing in the morning. Humans can be quite unpredictable.

 

I allow myself to lay in bed if I am drowsy, not thinking negative, and have time. If my mind starts getting going too much I force myself to get up, even if it is only 5 AM.

[[Bh...]]

Mornings are horrible for me too.  The first hour after I wake up is pretty decent...the calm before the storm.  Then, the anxiety and fatigue hit. The cog fog is the worst though...I need to be able to think and function.  It's so frustrating to not have a brain that can comprehend and respond.  When I heal, I'll never take anything for granted ever again!

[[Ce...]]

You all have such positive vibes! Thank you so much! You give me strength. I know I can do this