Getting out of bed in the morning is one of the most daily things you do–you can’t avoid it unless you sleep standing up. Some days getting out of bed is easy, and other days a cloud of depression can hang over you like a bad dream that won’t dissolve upon waking. Why is this so, and what can you do about it?
I think morning depression is common. Most of my family doesn’t respond well to life until they’ve poured three cups of coffee into their bodies—then they’re charged and ready to change the world. I’m a morning person and look forward to rising at 5:00 and having the house and a cup of coffee to myself while I write for a few hours. Yet everyone in my family has mornings where we dread facing the day, coffee or no coffee.
When we sleep at night our subconscious is still awake and processing the concerns of the previous day. Even if we are not aware they are there, anxieties and unresolved issues play in the background all night long and clamor for our attention upon awakening. So how do we set our interior life to rest at night along with our body?
Here are 5 tips to avoid morning depression
- Don’t check your email before you go to bed and don’t watch the news. Both cause your mind to go places it shouldn’t when you need to be resting from processing personal cares or world problems.
- Drink a large glass of water an hour before bed. Even slight dehydration can influence how well you sleep and wake.
- Spend some time in prayer, giving specific concerns of the day into the hands of the Lord.
- Read 20 minutes of fiction to give your mind a mental vacation from the happenings of your day.
- Read your Bible. This forces your mind and heart to focus on the One who gives you rest.
Try these tips for a week to see if your mornings are brighter because of changing your bedtime routine.
So, I’ve given you my tips—what wisdom can you share with us on how you avoid morning depression?
- In the News:
- Don’t forget to enter your suggested ebook titles in our contest that ends this Sunday! Click here for all the contest details.
- This week I was interviewed by author Lori Moore. Care to take a peek?
In Him together, Susan Gaddis
This Post Has 3 Comments
Great Tips!
I like to make a list of things that I am looking forward to doing the next day and get excited about them. Then when I get up in the morning, my mind isn’t confused, which helps me not feel overwhelmed or depressed.
Wise suggestion, Kathy. Thanks for sharing your wisdom. I’m going to try that this week. 🙂