Here’s why your anxiety is more common in the morning – and how to deal with it

Anxiety doesn’t work on a watch. Even so, it’s pretty common to be scared in the morning, which is especially debilitating as morning sets the tone for the rest of our days. Why is this happening?

Morning anxiety symptoms include worry, irritability, and fatigue, among others. There are a few reasons this can happen.

The cortisol level rises in the morning

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Cortisol, also known as the stress hormone, usually increases in the morning. This hormone is responsible for helping you wake up and is supposed to give you a little jolt that will help you get out of bed and get on with your day. For some, it’s more stressful than others, especially when you’re dealing with some type of illness like generalized anxiety disorder.

You are already struggling with fear

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While morning anxiety is common, it’s more common in people who are already dealing with a stressful or anxious state. “Generalized anxiety, or PTSD, tends to be more anxious at night and before bed,” clinical psychologist Lyndon J. Aguiar told the Huffington Post. He went on to explain how other conditions can affect and disrupt sleep, diet, and more, making it more likely that people will experience spikes in anxiety and stress in the morning.

Here’s what you can do to deal with it

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There are many self-care strategies that could be used to treat morning anxiety as it works very similarly to normal anxiety. Exercise, meditation, and fighting negative thoughts can all help you cope with this condition. It is also important not to fight fear and stress, but simply to accept it and not indulge in it. Simple tips like setting a timer that allows 10 minutes of worry can help you control your fear without choking it. Finally, if you think your problem is beyond normal morning anxiety, it is very important to seek help from a professional.