Hi Everyone,

I'm expecting too much from myself. I'm not sure how to stop in the mornings. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm so nervous at 11am about everything. I'm more relaxed in the evening because I feel like the world is going to sleep. It's peaceful. I'm not sure how to organize mornings to be more relaxing without getting upset about taking the time to relax. I feel like I -should be ready for the day ahead, and yet I am already ready. I'm afraid I will forget the time if I relax and be late which is very upsetting. Has anyone had this same trouble and found how to overcome it?

Kris

The mornings are bad for many of us. They do get much better as you go through the program.

I always thought that there must be some chemicals in our brains that are either missing or we have too much of in the morning, since I feel like I can do anything the later into the evening it gets.

Continue to walk, eat right, do the tapes and get better sleep and in a short time the mornings will get better.

I do better if I hurry out of the house first thing rather than sit around wondering (?) how I will feel in 2 hours or 4 hours, etc. The public library or quiet bookstore is a good place to build self confidence. This is also the best time to grocery shop as it isn't anywhere near as crowded as the day goes forward.

GOOD LUCK! Betsy

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Always Hopeful, Betsy H.
Marietta, GA (East Cobb)

[This message has been edited by EastCobbGABetsyH (edited 04-29-2001).]

Hi Betsy,

Thanks . It is more difficult in the morning. I'll ask a doctor if our brains are different in the morning and let you know. I agree with you that it seems to be something chemical since it is illogical to feel so stressed when nothing has happened yet! Maybe, there are no endorphines when we wake up. I feel better after a couple things go well.
Grocery shopping isn't something I've thought of and is a great idea. It's productive and healthy. I'll try to hurry out like you and see what happens.
People were most likely meant to be out at dawn chopping wood and feeding the animals, milking the cow.
good luck to you too,
Kris

Claire Weekes said in her book Hope & Help for Your Nerves, that the worst thing to do in the morning was to lay in bed and think about your day and all you have to do. You're just stewing up the nerves. Get up immediately and get moving. Also, quit doing the same things in the same pattern everyday if you're feeling low. Mornings are the absolute hardest part of my day. I think the reason why we feel so crappy in the morning is because of the excess cortisol buildup from the day before in our bodies. After moving about the day, it gets better. People with anxiety just have way too much of it. I lay there for an hour or two, then get up and just start getting overwhelmed with what I think I should accomplish, never really getting to most of it. This is on the week-ends only. I always feel better during the week cause I get up early and go to work, but I feel like crap on the week-ends cause I have too much time on my hands. I also get a sense of calm in the evenings knowing the world is also winding down with me.

Me too JBean,

I think I need a new plan for mornings.
I like the idea of a new routine. I want to plan to celebrate tomorrow morning. I know this sounds odd, but why not make it into a party. There has to be something fun to do for the first half hour of waking up.
It could be a very creative time.
Kris

Great idea! Let me know how it goes! Tomorrow I'm actually going to sit down and eat breakfast at my kitchen table for a change, instead of standing over the kitchen sink gulping it down!

[This message has been edited by JBean64 (edited 05-01-2001).]

Hi JBean,

How was your breakfast?

I didn't actually get the morning party plans in place soon enough. I did however plan the night before...instead of eating a heavy dinner, I had oatmeal and hot milk. I went to bed at 9pm to read and fell asleep at 10:30. I think this made a big!! difference in my morning this morning. I actually felt like I had slept! I'm taking the suggestions and having protein, yogurt, for breakfast, and planned a good lunch.
I have energy this morning! The world looks so much better with a good night's sleep.
I need to think of the party for tomorrow, now that I'm rested.
I want to make the bedroom a much more cheerful place. By saying party, I can imagine waking up in a room organized, with flowers, and music. It seems very easy to make it more cozy and morning friendly.
What are your surroundings like?
Good morning to you!
Kris

Hi Kris, two days in a row I actually sat down at the table to eat breakfast! Did you have your party? I have a pond out my back window and I never took time to look out at it. Well today I did, and I saw ducks and geese, it was so peaceful. I noticed that I have a much better outlook when I take the time to "ease into" my day. Have you thought about rearranging any pictures, plants or furniture in your room? Moving a few things around like plants or pictures, a small table, whatever, can give you a feeling like you're in a whole new place and give you a little spirit and energy lift! My surroundings are very floral and pastel pinks, greens. Teals and peaches are in my bedroom. I have lots of candles around. You can definitely tell that a woman lives in my place!!

Hi JBean,

Congratulations on your new breakfast routine! Are you sticking to it? A view with a pond and ducks and geese sounds very entertaining. You can even feed them the toast you can't eat . Can you toss far enough from the window?
I have made plans to rearrange my rooms. I think I will be much more comfortable when the space is used better. I like the idea of candles, and making a morning place -somewhere that is for thinking of the day, meditating.
My mornings are 70% better! Eating breakfast with protein has changed my day. Then, eating lunch on time too. I didn't notice that I never stopped for lunch, sometimes eating something on the run or eating at 3pm. That is almost the whole day without food. Lunch is fun to stop for. I'm really enjoying it. Doesn't that sound silly. Then also, I would not be drinking water. Water helps!! . Are you on to the next lesson and teaching yourself about nutrition? I think much of my anxiety is in being hungry and not even noticing. I don't eat many foods.
Are you drinking water?
talk to you soon,
Kris