Morning Routine for High Anxiety Days

I love my morning routine because it sets me up for success for every day. Unfortunately, there are some days when my anxiety gets the best of me and following my normal routine isn't the best thing for me. On those days I like to change up a few things to better support my mental health.

I don't sleep in: It's really easy to let my anxiety talk me into staying in bed until the last possible moment, but I know that doing so will leave me feeling even more anxious for the day ahead. So, I always get out of bed in time to give myself at least an hour before I have to be ready. This gives me time to do the things I know will make me feel better.

Skip the coffee: I'm not a big coffee drinker anymore (because of my anxiety), but I especially avoid coffee on the days where I'm feeling anxious and opt for herbal tea or matcha instead. It's honestly surprising how much caffeine can affect your mental health without you even knowing it!

Journal: I talk a lot about journaling, but that's because it truly is the key to me handling my anxious days. Journaling for even just five minutes leaves me feeling much more capable of handling the overwhelming thoughts bouncing around in my head.

Movement: I lift weight almost every morning and I know that movement helps me to feel calmer and deal with my anxiety. However, intense exercise actually raises your cortisol (the stress hormone) and can leave your body feeling even more stressed! That's why I opt for less intense forms of exercise on the days when I'm feeling really overwhelmed.

Do you struggle with high anxiety days? How do you support yourself through them?

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