Morning Anxiety

@lauren123 - EMDR is also briefly explained in this Mayo Clinic article on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), under "Psychotherapy." https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/post-traumatic-stress-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355973

Hello All: I subscribe to an email newsletter from The Mighty. They had a good article on 15 Relaxing Quotes to Help You Deal With Anxiety. I enjoyed reading them and wanted to share them with you.
https://www.everydayhealth.com/anxiety-disorders/living-with/best-stress-anxiety-quotes/?eh_uid=84147634&slot=3&xid=nl_EHNLemohealth_2019-02-12_15984615&utm_source=Newsletters&nl_key=nl_mentalhealth_mooddisorders&utm_content=2019-02-12&utm_campaign=Mental_Health_and_Mood_Disorders&fbclid=IwAR2LyTH4I1eJrH-54bHh4X8N6nYLhJqbL-MmujAUx80SctKBpqP6CJJqYAA
My favorite quote was from Martin Luther King, "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

I like it because it reminds me that I don't have to be able to see the whole picture in order to move forward.

If you have a favorite quote, will you share it with me?

I have this also. Sort of a new thing. Terrible anxiety in the AM which raises my BP. I start to feel better around 11 or so then feel fine until the evening when I get anxious hoping I'll get a solid night's sleep.

@pierce9999 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Has there been a change in medications, or your living/work situation? Anxiety can be the result of anticipation. What are you doing for the anxiety you feel?
Ginger

I've had a life change in that I resigned from work due to stress, and blood pressure impacts. I am about 20 lb overweight, mostly due to being on Propranolol 60mg/day for the last 4 years. And a sedentary career lifestyle...I sit at a desk. Right now I am at home, not working (maybe 20 hrs a week Uber driving for some cash). I've started a walk routine, 3 miles a day, brisk. I've had to increase the Propranolol for now, because I tried Thiazide Diuretic and then Losartan and both gave me awful side effects that I couldn't go thru. I'm doing the best I can but the anxiety is awful in the AM, which sends my BP up to 150-160/100 for periods of 1-2 hrs. It's not a fun time in my life, I get built up anxious before I got to bed, hoping I'll sleep thru the night and knowing my BP will go up when I wake. Not sure what to do.

I've done med blood tests (Everlywell cause scared of doc offices-ha) my cholesterol is ok, my trigs are a touch high (160) my T is low and my Cortisol is low but Propranolol and beta blockers do this from what I can see). I don't think anything is major wrong but I've always been an anxious, sensitive person. I just need I think a med to calm me better rather than more betas which have long term effects. Ideally I'll lose 20 lbs and get off them. Probably a year away. But the mornings are hell. My wife wants me to try intermittent fasting. I said I would.

I'm 56 years old male, btw. Thanks for reading my drivel

@pierce9999 It's not drivel, especially if it is important to you!

Remember, we are not medical professionals here. We are fellow members who share experiences and offer what we have found that works for us as an individual. That said, here is my take on the situation, and what I have done:

- Getting out to exercise, even if it is "just walking" will go a long way to managing stress. Fresh air and muscle movement, putting your five senses into play, will really help alleviate the anxiety.
- Eat healthy. Watch your intake of foods that make you feel "blah". For some it might be red meat, for others, too much sugar or carbs. For many people, it is coffee or alcohol.
- Journal. Write out what is bothering you, what you can work on. "Talk" to your anxiety through those words. Getting feelings out onto paper/screen can really be a help, and take their power away.
- If you feel the need for a medication to help you through the anxiety, you'll need to see a medical professional.
- Have you tried chamomile tea to calm down, or vitamin B6?
- Do you think the morning anxiety is related to not having a job to go to each day, or the extra weight you want to lose? If so, how can you change up that mindset?

You talk about needing to lose weight, and having had to resign from a job. Those can produce stress or increase anxiety, remember! Good for you for taking on a weight loss challenge, especially this time of year! What rewards are you thinking of to mark progress?
Ginger

We live in Az, so it's the best season down here for exercise. I have been thinking that it could be that I was used to getting ready for work and maybe never noticed morning anxiety because I was busy, and my body is just used to it, or, like you say, anxious that I don't have a job now. As far as rewards, I haven't thought of it yet, but it would probably be a good idea. Maybe a meal plan or something. Thank you for your replies, they are very thoughtful and inspiring.
Paul

@pierce9999 Paul, absolutely, that change in routine can bring anxiety forward! What can you do that would be substituting your previous actions? Where you got ready for work and headed out, what about now using that to get ready and go for a walk, do some exercise, and establish that new habit.

Rewards can be small things. A new book you wanted to read? A trip to a fancy coffee shop you heard about? As you get healthier, and start losing the weight you want, you might notice your entire outlook changing, and find the medication you thought was necessary, really isn't!
Ginger