The Science Behind Morning Depression (And What to Do About It)

[@TherapyinaNutshell]

Improve your mental health with the free course, courses.therapyinanutshell.com/grounding-skills-for-anxiety-stress-and-ptsd

[@grzegorzbaran5776]

Thing that works for me is doing everything in the evening - showering, packing my bag for work, preparing breakfast, cutting fruit for my lunch box, even picking up clothes for the next day, etc. It makes waking up much easier.

[@BillPowers-qy8bp]

Excellent advice!

[@Amidst_the_Grey]

This has been a game changer for me also. I have my lunch done and everything packed and in sight the night before. In the morning, if I get stressed, I pretty much freeze and nothing makes sense. Prep beforehand really makes a difference.

[@maddieadkins613]

YES!! That is so helpful. It's essential for me if I have an early AM timeline

[@fhrus]

me too!

[@mahimapeter4226]

I also do this ❤, cus I know it's hard for me in the morning.

[@geronimo8159]

Watching this while being morning depressed

[@1980rlquinn]

Watching this while being evening depressed ._.

[@whyohwhy9679]

Me too!

[@yamnaizhar]

Honestly i never realised i was struggling with morning depression, i just deemed myself lazy and incompetent for not wanting to get up, until i accidentally pressed on this video! Now i know!

[@aUILanguageofSpace]

I've struggled with SAD most of my life... usually have to trick myself: "I'll just get up & go to the bathroom and go right back to bed... well might as well brush my teeth, comb my hair... well I'll just put on a robe and sit on the couch & meditate for a few minutes... might as well put these dishes away while I'm here... one thing leads to another and pretty soon I'm awake... but i couldn't PLAN or intend to do it! Thank you for this good info, didn't think this was a thing.

[@alisons9740]

I’m going to start doing this. Usually I tell myself I can stay in bed, warm and comfortable, as long as I start planning my day. But that’s a trap. Action is essential. And once started, inertia and positive reinforcement kicks in. The key is to keep it simple, decisions and intermediate steps can make it too challenging. Most important of all - put your phone away.

[@caroleminke6116]

Without my cats to get me up I probably wouldn’t start those tasks but you’re right it takes a small step at a time. Even if I go back to bed it gets better as the day brightens. Early morning worry or panic can still hit me hard so I try breath work & go to a higher vibration before I get out of bed.

[@reginaseelaIam]

vit b,s are wonderful , but u gotta get the right non chemical ones, at first i got vit b,s and felt better but my tummy did not like, now am careful wid vitamins and my tummy said yes

[@SassyO100]

@@reginaseelaIamI too had this issue with vitamins and for vitamin sprays bypassed the gut. I now buy Better You Vitamin Sprays. Maybe worth a try to see if you can tolerate it and start with smallest dose a day like one spray then build up to the recommended daily dose over the first four weeks. Most doses are like 3-5 sprays a day - each vitamin is different dose so check the instructions.

[@alexlaroux777]

If its in any way possible for you, move to a sunnier, warmer climate - or at least go for winter holidays to the sun. It completely removed my lifelong SAD ☀️

[@ksully6551]

Appreciate all the great info and tips. Want to raise a flag about casually suggesting that people with depression get a dog because it will want to go out for a walk. Depression can be way stronger than the needs of others, including pets. Having a dog is like having a child, think very hard about getting one. Perhaps volunteering to walk dogs at a local shelter first thing in the morning would be a better first step.

[@TherapyinaNutshell]

yeah, good point, I tried to make that point gently as each person needs to find what will help them and be within their growth zone

[@JustChristianThings]

This is true. I have a dog I stopped being able to take on walks every day because of how bad my depression got. Thankfully I don’t live alone so I have someone that walks her when I’m physically not able to. But it makes me feel even more guilty about being depressed on the days my dog is not happy because of me :(

[@rachaelgalvez435]

My dog does not help me get out of bed, he's happy to lay by me, haha. But once I get up, we both start to look forward to a walk, and getting out really helps me reset for the day.

[@piperjaycie]

My cats wake me up by climbing on my head because they want more food!!😂😂😂😂

[@JanetSmith900]

You are right. I can't take care of myself and I have no interest in taking care of something else right now.

[@mayfair10]

I had a coworker jokingly ask if I drank at lunchtime b/c I was a completely different person in the afternoon versus morning (mornings I'm quiet, avoidant/heopless, don't smile much; afternoons I'm engaging others, inquisitive, so much more positive). And I always hit my productivity phase late afternoon into evening. It's really hard to slow down at night as I feel like I'm finally hitting my stride and feel motivated. I've often said that when the alarm goes off in the AM there's a part of me that believes maybe I could just skip today. I feel so defeated in the AM. THANK YOU for talking sbout the biology. The tip about just starting with putting my feet on the floor is so simple but crazy powerful. I will totally be congratulating myslef on that one. 😃

[@mv1362]

I hope you said yes

[@azmomconnection]

That's a good way to put it...I do feel defeated in the morning...but then go on to have great days

[@estellejohnston3537]

I have severe anxiety disorder agoraphobia. Ive just been dignoised with severe adhd. Have u ever been tested for adhd?

[@FunUrth4All]

Yes this is me too. Thank you❤

[@leerotzien2380]

Me too! Th k you for aharing!

[@wendybothma3548]

I’ve had lifelong depression and my mornings are just as you describe! I can literally feel myself improve as the day progresses. So by the afternoon I feel much more ‘normal’ and able to function.

[@mrkennethj7232]

exactly this

[@thankyou9534]

Same here

[@isabellerininger6249]

Yes! Me too.

[@judyl.761]

Same

[@aprilhassell1747]

Do you drink coffee

[@stephenie44]

I can tell by the way you said you’re a morning person that you feel awake and ready to go in the mornings, in the same way that I suddenly “wake up” (or the brain fog clears) at 9 or 10pm every night. Suddenly, I have motivation, I don’t need to conjure it.

[@sankissjuicetan9319]

Same here ❤

[@vickilotts8864]

Same !

[@mariemayfield5968]

I used to cry every morning until my forties I began to look for strategies and when was to move the alarm clock to a different room and turn the light on really fast and tell myself it's just morning and I'll be okay in a little bit I had to work hard on this and I'm 60 now and I practice diet exercise and routine I loved your video I love that you are helping those of us overcome depression❤

[@kelterskelter4]

God Bless.

[@joyslove3858]

I love that you tell yourself "it's just morning and I'll be okay in a little bit..." I am going to say this to myself every morning starting tmrw morng Thank you and God bless 🙏

[@tammystiletto]

Thank you for sharing this ❤

[@belindarosenheim2322]

Aaaaaaah! Me too. It seems like my trauma traumas the hardest right as I'm waking up. I cry so easily. I Hate it!! I prayed a lot and and now I'm on Lexapro, Buspar and klonipin( which works great but wooooooo be careful because klonipin is quite nice. Caution❤)

[@belindarosenheim2322]

Me too❤

[@ar7774]

Morning - I feel smallest and most incapable… I can’t believe I’m not alone!

[@baddeb1153]

This is 100% ME! I didn’t know this was a ‘thing’. I have never been a morning person & could never understand why I am so depressed when I get up. I always feel like there is no meaning to my life. I just feel so hopeless… It takes me ages to feel like I can function for the day. I am a night owl and this is when I am wide awake and happy; then it is difficult to go to sleep & the cycle starts again. Thanks, Emma, this was SO helpful - now that I know there is a reason I feel like this & I’m not going mad!😊

[@sixthsenseamelia4695]

Menopause & consuming social media have been two things that have noticeably effected my mood.

[@brittanyb5942]

Mine too!!

[@himeshsinghshishodiya]

Finally I know why I feel the way I do. I always feel depressed when I ought to wake up so I sleep again BUT waking late makes it SO MUCH WORSE that I regret it lol.

[@GailLentini]

Me too

[@sherryb9770]

Best thing that happened to me regarding these problems was retirement. I can now follow my own internal rhythms, instead of a clock. I worked late nights for decades, forced into a night owl pattern. Now I go to bed at a reasonable time (9-10pm) and get up a bit earlier than I used to when working. I guess I was sleep deprived for so long. Managing the cortisol awakening response, I don’t plan anything before 10am, so that I can “get my feet on the floor” and let the morning unfold more slowly. I realize that working people don’t have this luxury, but there is hope for the future. All your tips are spot on for me. I’ve done a lot of self-monitoring of my feelings and what I’m doing that affects that. Screens, social media, activities, food, drink, they are all key.

[@20bluelilies]

I now take a coffee back to bed, and read, etc., until I feel the need to get going, usually anywhere from 9.30 -10.30. It's made a huge difference. Retirement has its ups and down, but this aspect of it is a definite plus!

[@valeriemarie9110]

I remember telling my doctor about feeling this way every single day years ago and it was the first time she frowned at me like she wasn’t quite sure she believed me. As time has gone on, I have found more about it available online and appreciate this video!

[@katharine5606]

Yes, the male the doctor I told many years ago said I was feeling depressed and anxious 1st thing in the morning because my husband wouldn’t be around. (So aggravating!) Granted, I was a stay at home mom with little ones and that’s fatiguing/ stressful but I said I felt like this in the mornings when he was home and helping me on the weekends. And now I don’t have little ones and still feel like a fog of depression slowly improving throughout the day.

[@i_dont_want_a_handle]

@@katharine5606 many years ago - sounds like in 1950s?

[@katharine5606]

@@i_dont_want_a_handle It was around 2001.

[@cicin9313]

@@i_dont_want_a_handleI was told around 2016 by a male doctor that the real reason I kept coming back for chronic severe stomach issues was bc I just needed a good man in my life. His words. "Women weren't made to do everything alone." While I didn't disagree with that statement, I went to a different doctor after six months of being patronized. Turns out, I had three different types of intestinal parasites that took a full year of treatment & I still do annual treatments for to this day. Thanks doc! Women's healthcare is a joke.

[@katie7748]

​@@katharine5606 I think a lot of us, myself included, are still struggling to come to grips with the fact that it's been almost 25 years to the day since we rolled over from 99 to 00. Feels like yesterday but also not.

[@k.polanchekfntp8033]

Thank you. Not eating after 6:30, so that my gut can make neurotransmitters, makes a huge difference for me. Still overwhelmed in the a.m. from intense dreams.

[@Hana13272]

Rather than morning depression, what I am experiencing is morning anxiety. As soon as I start to wake up I get cramps and that feeling of fear caused by dissociation. I get the feeling that a bad day is waiting ahead and what’s the point in thriving and trying to work things out. Usually it gets better once I leave the house and start moving. Bed time is my favourite part of the day. I feel so victorious. But in the morning,again, anxiety awaits for me.

[@kalt1976]

Me too!

[@l.aposdif4855]

The exact same happens to me!

[@wadeharris6002]

I also have that. What is helpful for this situation?

[@lavatr8322]

I have different issue, i get self deprecating thoughts. I hate how I have to give 200% then I receive 1% outcome I hate how I look. I hate how I'm not at the right place at the right time... Thereby every decision goes wrong

[@Serenity_Leslie]

​@@wadeharris6002 I fixed that by writing down all these thoughts that provoke morning anxiety and reformulate using the ABC method from cognitive behavioral therapy. You can google how to do this. Trust me, this is really a game changer. You could practice this approach with all sort of such thoughts and this can literally get you out of anxiety cycles. But once you are already facing the anxiety, its important not to fight it, but accept it. Literally saying "Ok, I´m anxious now. But thats alright, thats how I am at the moment". Try not to focus on the anxiety. Don´t try to find why it occured or what was the root causes, this will only make you more stuck in it and make it stronger. Once you accept it, it fades away itself. Probably that won´t just work from the 1st time you try it, but don´t give up, it will go away. When its gone, write down the thoughts and reformulate using ABC method.

[@BigIndianBindi-jy1cz]

my way to describe is is basically "Contrast" sleeping is an escape from a painful reality. Suddenly returning to reality shows the contrast. That contrast is painful, and then you get used to it again.

[@anitapaul230]

Half my life I woke up with a shock. Now my sleep is so worse due to pain and fatique ...ME/CFS....

[@CandyJepson-m1o]

This is me as well. I have fibromyalgia and never know how,I am going to feel during the day. Sleep is not deep and when waking often during the night I then get more anxious.

[@AG-iu9lv]

Highly relatable.

[@user-rx7pd1xv4k]

I think of it similarly. In my mind I compare being in bed to being in a nice warm bath. Then getting up is like getting cold and feeling wet, but once you dry off (get going about your day, in this analogy), you feel better.

[@jillwklausen]

Changing my medication schedule made a huge difference for me. I'm taking an extended release anti-depressant. I found that taking it first thing in the morning, it took time to feel like it kicked in and I was just chasing the symptoms. But when I take it at bedtime, it's at its most effective as I'm waking up. This was a great episode. Thanks, Emma.

[@TherapyinaNutshell]

Glad this was helpful for you!

[@pd1824]

What antidepressant works for you?

[@kelterskelter4]

@@pd1824 I am on Venlafaxine, 150 mg I think. I need to start taking them earlier in the morning. My usual thing is to take it when I wake up but I am groggy for about three hours and slow to get moving. Need to start taking it around 5am.

[@jillwklausen]

@@pd1824, I'm having success with Effexor (Venlafaxine). I've had the best results with Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation though. It literally saved my life. LMK if you have any questions about it. I wish you well. 🙏🏼

[@RhondaofTheVale]

I'm on venlafaxine and I have to take it with my evening meal so it is working in my system when I wake up​@pd1824

[@lianamatchak9652]

My hypothalamus was damaged by lupron depot for endometriosis. no psych EVER keeps up with research. Each morning I’m paralyzed in my bed, I try to get up. Sleep is so rare. You have the only info that gives me self respect. I’m tired of psych blaming me as lazy and not trying hard

[@KathrynRebernick]

Hugs. Endo sucks. And a lot of the commonly used treatments suck more. 💛

[@mv1362]

Sounds like we see the same dr

[@FullFrontalFromage]

I’m so sorry that your doctor behaves like that!! I feel your frustration!

[@pattyduerr1168]

Finally I understand that others feel this way.my WHOLE life ..I never feel good in the morning.thank you for explaing this so simply... another thing I have rheumatic fever as a child and was given high doses of antibiotics. Doing some research it seems that maybe the hypothalamus was damaged IE maybe it's inflamed I have had chronic insomnia since the age of eight. Maybe it's the hypothalamus

[@Mand1234-d5e]

Same

[@haniehfaani7254]

Omg I am about to cry. I don’t have like depression depression but I definitely experienced a lot of these symptoms; and I used to blame myself alot thinking its just me. Thank you so much for this. This feels like catharsis. Can’t believe I just found this channel so I am sharing it with everyone i know.

[@isabellerininger6249]

Super helpful. I’ve always said I do better with a 36 hour day than a 24 hour day. Mornings have always been painful… my skin literally hurts. My body wants to get up about 11 a.m. and go to bed about 3 am. My entire 51 years it’s been this way. I’m intrigued about your ideas!!! A side note-I have extremely vivid dreams and my sleep tracker device often says “too much REM”. I fall asleep and almost always feel awake in a tv show-like dream, participating and can recount the story lines. If I could recall everything I have no doubt I’d be a best selling author! The downside is, I wake up exhausted like I never slept. I have to be exhausted to go to bed and it never resets.

[@kandkob]

Same here

[@ThemommaBear195]

Might be worth getting a sleep study. If you have sleep apnea or some other sleep situations there is really good help. It changed my life.

[@hilaryb8807]

Same. I know that if I have a few nights of bad sleep, I get REM rebound, where my brain tries to catch up with the lost REM sleep. I begin dreaming very quickly during sleep, and my dreams are movie-vivid.

[@tamsinthai]

@@hilaryb8807 I get REM every bloody night!

[@lynncrf]

Sounds like delayed sleep phase disorder, which is a genetic condition and not a choice.

[@sharonr5605]

I thought I was alone with this. So thankful I found this video. I take a prescription medication right before bed and I thought that was what was causing my morning depression. It could be that with a combination of what you described in this video. I wake around 6:30 a.m., feed the animals, eat, do a word puzzle, clean up breakfast, get dressed then start my day with gentle yoga and then I journal. Usually around 10 - 10:30 a.m. I'm starting to feel better. Late afternoons and evenings is when my moods are stable and I feel most clear headed.

[@andreaneahusan3026]

Oh my goodness, I feel so seen and validated. I've struggled with mornings all of my adult life. I would even describe to doctors that it felt like I had a daily bipolar mood swing cycle: ultra depressed, unmotivated, no energy in the morning; finally productive in the afternoon; and completely wired and manic at night. This was my life for at least 20 years. I had so much I wanted to do when I woke up, but was paralyzed to do any of it. My doctors had no answers except to tell me that's not how bipolar depression works, that and to test my thyroid. It was never my thyroid. I don't know if it's simply aging, or possibly my newish vitamin D routine, but it hasn't been as bad these past 5 years. Mornings are still slow-going though, but not dreadful.

[@flourishfae]

Thank you. I do feel so depressed in the morning. I feel so numb and not like myself. Like my soul has vacated the building, but my body woke up.

[@RealBradMiller]

Yup, and I used to be a morning person! Wake up with stuff to do, but got destabilized by family and realizing the ramifications of that go so much deeper than anyone may realize.

[@askNatasha82]

This was really good! I am in therapy for anxiety and those waves of depression. What I’ve found that helps when I’m sliding into a depressive slump is before I even open my eyes I say one thing I am grateful for then sit at the edge of my bed and let my feet touch the floor and start my day intentionally. It helps when I wake up anxious and when I wake up in a slump. It’s not 100% fool proof but on those really bad days, I give myself grace and try to remember that I’m not like this every day and it’s okay to wake up and just have a really bad day.

[@Andrea-us2ge]

It helps already to know that I am not alone with this problem. Thank you so much for posting this video!🙏

[@invluo3219]

something ive stumbled across recently, not related to depression but about sleeping, is that most people sleep with poor air quality. If you dont leave a window or a door open overnight CO2 rises in the room as you sleep, going upwards of +2000ppm, more than twice the limit of indication of poor air quality- at these levels its normal to experience headache, nausea, drowsiness. Its not surprising to wake up tired/exhausted when you sleep in increasingly stale air for 8hrs. I can't say this removes depression, but sure as hell I've been waking up better since i started leaving my windows slightly open

[@sshpeppermint]

If you live in a place with harsh winters you can't do that

[@carladirden]

I agree with the poor air quality. I've been saying something is going on in my room because I wake up with headaches and sneezing and stuffy nose. Until I get up. Now my daughter is having issues too. These things can also cause disturbing dreams. I live in Houston so winters are not bad but I also run a fan. When I started leaving my bedroom door open at night the morning symptoms improved. Last night it was very cold like 39 and I had to crank up the heater. I had a very disturbing dream and my daughter did also. I know it sounds silly but I'm sure it's related.

[@SchwietLife1]

Well my 25 year old was a little boy and made a playlist of music - one song for brushing his teeth one for getting dressed. Now here I am an adult and I've created my own playlist for getting myself ready in the morning. It pumps me up it keeps me focused and I stay on time

[@clairevincent5263]

Such a good idea ! Thank you for sharing ❤

[@rajkschwartz]

❤️ from India - listening at 630 AM walking in the treadmill - Good quality content - well narrated

[@li_celly]

Another good way to wake yourself is to drink water everytime you wake up - drinking water, literally, feels like night and day to me. Water gives you some oxygen in your brain and you will feel more awake and be able to get some breathing time in the morning. Just one of the small tips i got that got me out of my anxiety in my mid 20's

[@TheChuckyfresh]

Your channel has been very helpful. Thanks so very much. I watch it & it resonates & they are very revealing & preciously supportive.

[@ЕленаГончарова-р2р]

this woman is a treasure . She just resolved o many of my questions thats been piling up for years

[@ashleyanderson3900]

I'm watching @ 2:45am and I relate to all of this. 😢 I'm so glad I stumbled upon you! You're such a gem and feel like such a wonderful human. Thank you 💚

[@Lurantics]

I’m so glad you mentioned this. I’ve been struggling this really recently and I thought it had something to do with the darkness. I found that listening to more cheery and calm music that’s more motivating than sad and solemn music. The bus rides to work have been a lot better so far.

[@Ummuri2000]

4:46 During lockdown, I had no strict routine. I tried following my natural circadian rhythm (delayed sleep phase) and quite literally moved time zones each night. It took about a month for me to cycle back to waking up around 8-9:00AM. Since I had complete control over my schedule, I found it worked very well for me. I was waking up rested, unstressed, and didn't have any panic attacks (even though there was a pandemic happening). Routines came much easier too! Nowadays, I can't do that and a lot of my depression/anxiety symptoms have returned

[@lmnop29]

Ugh, I feel ya. I used to have a job that started around lunchtime, and I had no problems whatsoever getting up at 8-9AM without an alarm. But now at my current job, even just getting up an hour earlier completely changes my mood and ability to function.

[@JustPlayMusic6891]

Oh my gosh, your comment made me remember that during the pandemic I too did not have to work until 11am. So I could get up as slowly as I needed regardless of when I finally fell asleep. I completely forgot…During the pandemic/ shut down I was better able to take care of myself and just go with “the flow” around bedtime and wake time. I miss that so much.

[@magefawkes7203]

Not me looking through KZbin to find something happy to listen to because waking up this morning made me just feel so scared and the strong desire to not live. Good timing. 🤗

[@trishjoyce9882]

💝🫂

[@pandapan5797]

I actually learned something valuable from this! Everytime i read stuff about depression, sleep: i already know it. This video was really great at showing new info and identifying when you’re not getting through to us as an audience with depression, and fixing it

[@mikelippenkrantz]

Through the combination of scary world news and my Mother receiving end of life care at the moment, my morning depression is at an all time high. Thanks so much for posting this video when I needed it most! It's a terrible thing to go through but I'm reminded that I'm not the only one who feels this way and that I can do things to get help and help myself.

[@kelterskelter4]

God Bless.

[@carolephern4757]

It sounds like you're encouraging all the right thoughts upon waking. I had to go through this with my mum last year and it is extremely stressful. I felt the same when waking. You are not alone. I'm sharing these experiences with a therapist now. It is helping. I did not show myself compassion in that period of time. Please try to do that yourself. You are facing a tough time and carrying a heavy load. Take care and my best wishes to you and your mum🤗

[@rubyrandy1]

You got this!

[@merrystyles]

This video was so reassuring! Every morning feels like groundhogs day with depression but I know after a couple hours, I’ll be back to “normal” and more rational thinking. But most mornings depression and anxiety is sooo high!! I really thought I was alone in this. Great informative content!

[@buddleiabee]

My morning cortisol is much higher with perimenopause & SAD. I bought a rebounder & after going on that for 10 minutes in the morning, I'm feeling much better.

[@CalmLisa]

Same! I love my rebounder 💥

[@katydid594]

Do they really help? I’ve been thinking about buying one. The depression is awful.

[@CalmLisa]

@ i know there is not one thing that works for everybody, but I had heard a podcast where the person said it helps with draining lymph and keeping toxins from settling in organs. I have no idea if its true but I was intrigued so I decided to get one. Turns out I love bouncing on it! Makes me feel alive again. Blessings to you 🙏❤️

[@katydid594]

@@CalmLisa Thank you!

[@Chorkymom]

I thought about that too, but I have organ prolapse from connective tissue laxity and figured that might not be right for me. If it’s not one thing, its another. ☹️

[@RebeccaEWebber]

There's some irony in watching a video about depression with an ad for a charity working to support those suffering most in the world. I know my depression isn't just about my perspective but something about that did wake me up a bit. More gratitude could only help.

[@Betriska]

Well that explains it! I couldn’t figure out WHY I kept waking up feeling the dread of the day. It also explains why feeding the ducks, and walking my dogs always lifted the dread! Thanks Emma! ❤ I’m not cured, but atleast most days I’m functional!

[@Anotherhumanexisting]

The hypothalamus inflammation makes a lot of sense for me because many of my mental and physical illnesses are rooted in neuro-inflammation… I’ve never been a good sleeper, but my mental/body state is definitely especially bad when sleep is extra poor. Working to find meds that actually help and don’t make me worse like antidepressants did. Meds that reduce the neuroinfoammation and calm my CNS do seem to help. I would like to add: Delayed sleep phase is classified as a syndrome, not a disorder. Since it’s simply a difference that could easily be accommodated if not for societal expectations. It’s also present in 75% of people with adhd I believe, and I’m not surprised or the comorbid it’s with depression between feeling unable to conform to society and the physical toll of chronically disrupted sleep. Ty for this video.

[@ajadalynncvv2372]

I've been struggling with this my entire life. Thank you so much for posting this.

[@sydneymelbourne]

Little steps really tiny steps can take you so far if don’t give up. Great video! I was extremely depressed and my journey to happiness started 2 years ago and now I spend most of every day incredibly grateful and joyful!

[@MBarray]

It's hard to put into words, but the book "Breakout dark depression" completely changed my life and it's not new age bs

[@annmc-t7p]

Really? I would love more info, on this book. Thanks, in advance. I'm 67, and really struggling.

[@TheKraut6]

🚨 BOT DETECTED! 🚨

[@PaulaStreet]

I just searched - it seems to be an advert for psychelelics but I didn't hang around to double check.

[@evercuriousmichelle]

Paula- thank you for the heads up!

[@faebalina7786]

@@TheKraut6 thank you , hate these stupid scams and bots

[@tennilledebysingh5819]

I don't have depression, and I'm not a morning person, but I despise early mornings. Between 3:00 and 7:00 am is my best sleep and I have to wake up between 5:30 and 6:00. This makes me feel depressed & upset, but once I get going, say after 9:00 a.m. I'm perfectly fine. If I was able to start work later, therefore waking up later, I'd be fine. On my days off when I'm able to sleep in and start slow, I'm fine. I'm still slightly tired, but I'm happy.

[@jennifergilbert-potts645]

Thank you! I've struggled with low mood and feeling paralysed in the morning for a long time. I had no idea so many people experience this.

[@easyhomeremedies]

5:35 I was really impressed with this video. The presenter does an excellent job of explaining the complex relationship between circadian rhythms, hormones, and morning depression. The practical tips for managing symptoms are also very helpful. I highly recommend this video to anyone who struggles with morning low moods. Thank you so much! ❤❤❤

[@justadude117X]

TIL this is a thing. thank you for helping me understand why i feel terrible in the morning and dont want to get out of bed. im a total night owl, up till 5am and asleep for about 10 hours waking up feeling exhausted and overwhlemed. of course my brain automatically rejected every solution but im gonna try to gently go against that. thank you!

[@bundsta324]

Thank you so much… this video has already helped me. I also think that my nightmares rise my cortisol when I’m sleeping and lots of times the nightmares are just ones that focus on sad depressing feelings and thoughts and situations. Like I’m lonely or lost and unloved in my nightmares. This definitely adds to the morning part of depression I think too

[@monikagin]

Same 🛶

[@barbarawinkle1042]

I also suffer with morning depression. A lot of factors, both real and exaggerated in my mind cause me to get into the mindset of "what's the use" sometimes. I often have similar nightmares. Once l awaken, I do my best to change the details and outcome of the story. This video is very good. I also recommend going on KZbin and check out Dr. Scott Eilers. He has helped me immensely.

[@patriciabaank3228]

I have had a long period of time where i didnt want to go to sleep because if i did, i had to deal with the waking up, i hated to wake up and starting e new day. Now i know that i just hated the cruel world and didnt want to be a part of that. And from there work on some positive beliefs... Its a struggle sometimes but this video brought me a more positive vibe to overcome insomnia. Thank you 🙏🏼

[@viviennehughes1556]

This video is just brilliant, I wish it had been available 45 years ago! I used to struggle so much with mornings, couldn't bear to see anyone. For years I used to do the one step at a time thing and congratulate myself after every step knowing that after an hour or two I'd feel ok. But I thought it was just me, so this is a big eye opener. I used to write my best essays as a student overnight, and get my best exam results if I stayed up all night revising, sat the exam in the morning, and then went to bed in the afternoon, totally contrary to all the normal exam advice! Somewhere it all changed and I couldn't tell you when because it must have been gradual. Maybe having children shifted all my hormones, or maybe forced a circadian rhythm reset, or somewhere I started taking Vit B complex and cod liver oil. Or maybe it was a combination of all these. Meditation helped too.

[@ERICKOLET]

Diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression 21 years ago. Have done well until 6 months ago when I had to put my dog to sleep. I am retired and the last year and half my dog and I were together almost 24 hours a day. We did everything almost together. Had dog total of 12 years. I have cried almost every day for 6 months now. Why am I having such a hard time with this?

[@kelterskelter4]

Perhaps if you can be mobile you could get out more and check out going to a support group for bereaved pet parents? Or try a local soup kitchen, just somewhere where people might listen to you and understand. Talk therapy is really good for working through feelings of grief. Have you thought about getting a small pet like a bird, gerbil, or a hamster? They can take your focus off of yourself and keep you occupied. It would make you feel good to care for a little creature. God Bless.

[@dbuck1964]

I don’t want to minimize this, but it sounds to me like you are perfectly normal. You have suffered a catastrophic loss of relationship and grief of this type is not unusual.

[@ERICKOLET]

Thank you. How do I made the pain.

[@ERICKOLET]

Thank you. Yes, have thought about another pet. Also looking at visiting people in nursing home and hospitals just to help others who have no family to visit with them.​@@kelterskelter4

[@rubyrandy1]

The death of a pet often brings up other past griefs and losses. We're pretty complicated creatures, we humans. A support group for pet loss could help. I believe CSU has had some. You have a BIG heart, that's why you're feeling this! Pets are unconditional love! Be well, my friend.

[@mnoir8888]

Wow. Just wow. I’ve been dealing with what feels like an extreme case of this. I’m a natural night owl musician now teaching elementary music and having to be at work very early. The first four days of my two week school break were spent not moving. Only to take care of the basic day to day stuff like eating and bathroom. Today was better, but I have been using the L word on myself lately, although I know better. Thanks very much for this video.

[@mardeebrosh6965]

Mornings are tough. I have started taking the Fly Lady's advice "get dressed to lace up shoes" and for some reason that really helps get me out of bed and ready to start the day. I still start slow because I have fibromyalgia and everything hurts in the morning, but there's something about lacing up those shoes that says "I'm ready for the day".

[@ezgoing24]

Thank you!I so much! I appreciate your insight about the body and mind connection when so many think it's only in "one's head". Both my daughter and myself have mild to severe depression on and off depending on a number of factors and also 2 for my siblings. One thing that helps me in the morning is to open the curtains in my living room and observe the creatures outside,bunnies,squirells,birds...they make me laugh!I'm lucky to live in a place where I can do that😊

[@JulieFitzgerald-b5k]

You are so knowledgeable and pack so much information into your videos - theory into practice. You are realistic, too, about what people can possibly manage. Thanks SO much for sharing your expertise.

[@kattmcneil9485]

Never knew this was a thing but it’s commanding my life - I am so grateful there are steps I can take to improve my experience. Shared it with my family. Thank you so much 🙏🏻💕

[@terriharvey5886]

B vitamins fixed this for me. From age 14 to age 35 I would wake up every morning, feeling the weight of the world on my heart and head and eyes, and my thoughts would be “I have to live again?… ugh…” And so I asked God to tell me what to do about this because I wasn’t a sad person, but knew there was something wrong in my brain. And in time I met a woman at Walmart - we chatted - she handed me a paper from a woman’s clinic that listed supplements which I bought, and then in two months time, I woke up for the first time in my life & I had sunshine in my thinking. It was wonderful beyond words! The supplements included B complex, 50 mg of B6, vitamin C, zinc, calcium, fish oil. And now I also take vitamin D. Since then, I’ve had two physicians tell me that because the B vitamins fixed it - it was a cortisol problem. They both believed it was just the Bs that healed me because B is a stress vitamin. This followed by getting up early every morning walking, which meant bringing sunshine into my eyes and into my brain. The moral of the story - God answers prayer, B vitamins can fix morning depression, which the leads you to feel like you want to go out walking, which improves so much more in your life. Jesus loves me and you enough to offer us the answers to our needs.

[@francesmartel7948]

This is AWESOME, what you’ve shared. I’ve been feeling really depressed lately, and I forgot about how I fixed this 35 years ago-I went on the pill & suddenly was terribly depressed & anxious. A friend recommended a B-complex and extra B6, & it WORKED. OMG, bless you for reminding me of this ❤! I’ve been really down again.

[@TeaandLaceJournals]

God helped me too! He lead me to the amino acid DLPA. Waking up is so much easier after I take it. Life changing!

[@tammystiletto]

Yes absolutely. I have high functioning depression and the winter time makes it worse. I take the supplements you mentioned and also LTyrosine with Vitamin C one to a few times a day if I need it. If I get to a harder state I’ll go get real meds, no shame. But this is what helps me right now.

[@tomterrica4032]

Thanks!

[@urtyp6596]

All that and more and actually bioavailable in : ta da meat and fat! Who would have thought... Cheers

[@suerose54]

I find it helpful to prepare breakfast the night before so it is all ready for me. Having two cats to feed removes any possibility of staying in bed and brings me some joy, and then I take things gently for an hour.

[@tamsinjohnson1599]

Cats are terrific helpers 🎉 it’s also good to have someone else to care for.

[@trishmcelderry4762]

Thank you. It was good to know that some of this is normal for people who struggle. It made me feel less anxious about my sleep and the way I feel. It's not just in my head. Thank you !

[@susi19611]

Thanks

[@trishjoyce9882]

Thank you Emma, this video has really helped me. You have given me the confidence to bring my concerns up with my Doctor again. Knowing that my condition is Not laziness has given me hope for change😊🙏🏽🦋🌻

[@jeffnickel4648]

This was super helpful for me to hear. Just listening to it got me motivated this morning. I've struggled with this for as long as I can remember.

[@dandzolino]

You are so cool. I absolutely love your videos. They are so helpful. Thank you, thank you, thank you for sharing your wisdom with us!

[@CarmenClary]

Break down the overwhelming parts of your life into manageable problems that you can solve one at a time. ❤ it!

[@constanceblair945]

Thank you! I’ve dealt with this most of my life even before I developed actual depression. And I’ve always been a night person.

[@nancykunkler7403]

I got stuck in first morning depression after a long period of high stress. Finally tried a cold a.m. shower and the depression immediately lifted! I know it sounds painful but your body can adapt to it overtime if you lower shower temp and extend the exposure time to 1-3 minutes over several days or even weeks. And i don’t freeze my head. The goal is to bring down core temperature.

[@LadyGodivaish]

Great advice. I haven't been able to reset mayor stress consecuenses.

[@shannon2180]

People in warm climates can't really do this...our "cold" water temps in our pipes are tepid most of the year lol...yes I've tried😂

[@nancykunkler7403]

@ In that case, I suppose that is why some people jump into ice baths, brrrrr!

[@desultory3892]

@@shannon2180good news is it's coldest in the morning!

[@undertaken101]

Thank you so much, I've been struggling with this for the longest time🥺🙏

[@cathryndeyn9]

Highly recommend 5 minutes rebounding. I literally do it in my dressing gown 😅first thing and it helps SO much.

[@teriofshalott]

I have had seasonal affected disorder for as long as I can remember, and struggle so much in winter with never feeling rested enough. So I will wake up at 8, then go back to sleep until 11.30. Then I end up angry and upset with myself for missing most of the day - and most of the sunlight as it gets dark here in winter at about 4pm. Your advice to just get up and put my feet on the floor and take a step really resonated with me. I’m going to start this tomorrow morning. Thank you ♥️

[@lunasky5635]

Positive morning routine: coffee! Get’s me out of bed. Thank you for this video. Knowing that my feeling of dread when i wake up is not uncommon and not a moral failing, is already helping

[@kcjd8659]

If putting your foot on the floor to take a step is still too much to start with, I have found that wiggling my toes and fingers helps get me started.

[@PaulaStreet]

Thank you - sometimes it's the little things that help :)

[@steelyburt]

I’m a toe wiggler

[@konstantinshmyrev2239]

Dude, same 😂

[@kcjd8659]

@@konstantinshmyrev2239 yeah, things have been hard and so far not getting easier.

[@anneverna1792]

I always feel better as the day goes on

[@sledgehammer-productions]

Getting out of bed at 4 AM (to go to the toilet), no problem, but then going back to bed because a) it's too early to get up and b) (it's winter) it's nice and cozy under the covers. Then having the alarm at 7 AM, no way that I'm able to take that first step out (unless I have an appointment to go to). But now I can blame my hormones, let's see if this knowledge helps me this weekend 🙂

[@SagharMirzaei]

Emma, you are improving my life❤please keep making videos. You are so real and listening to you feels like having a safe chat with my wise friend. You helped me a lot. I appreciate you, thank you🥹❤️

[@thr9449]

That’s why a great cup of coffee in the morning is SO important. Literally improves my mood within 5 minutes of drinking.

[@S.Ham1929]

Thank you for this reminder. Time for some coffee!

[@thearodriguez8073]

Because you are now caffeine dependent, this is terrible advice the body sros producing wakeful hormones and you then rely on caffiene, Google caffiene addiction... it is literally a hormonal imbalance x

[@thearodriguez8073]

​@@S.Ham1929Terrible advice, Google caffiene addicton.

[@lorisnyder89]

Thank you for this. It's always helpful, no matter what the issue, to know that we're not alone. God bless you! This channel is so helpful.

[@seraphale]

All great advice! It's interesting to hear that my depression and anxiety trends I've noticed over the years, and subsequent survival tactics I've developed are backed by science. Yay, personal research! I used to have horrible morning anxiety, and it was at the same time my hormones were all over the place (PMDD), and I was having loads of insomnia. Glad those days are gone.

[@mygirldarby]

I have delayed sleep phase syndrome. It started at 12 years old for me. It doesn't make you want to get up later and later. It advances your natural sleep/wake cycle by 3+ hours. So for example, the average person is tired at 10 PM and wakes up naturally by 6 AM. Someone with a Delayed Sleep phase will mean that the person is naturally not tired until 2 AM (for example), and naturally wakes up at 10 AM. It is genetic. It can't be changed and will simply go back to the later cycle if you try to change it. You don't keep waking up "later and later" though. And as long as you are allowed to keep the later sleep schedule, you won't generally have insomnia. People with delayed sleep phase are classic incurable "night owls." Having said all that, I have this morning depression/anxiety every single day when I wake up. It manifests as extreme feelings of hopelessness, emptiness, dread, and fear of something bad happening. It starts the second I wake up, before I've even opened my eyes, but only lasts 15-20 minutes or so. It is awful.

[@brittanyb5942]

This sounds like me! I usually don’t get sleepy until 2am to 5am but then I have to get up at 7am for work 😞

[@wuw127]

Sounds like me too! Guess I'm not alone but " delayed sleep phase sindrome" is annhorrible description: It implicates that's something wrong with It when it' s Just the modern world that it' s wrong forcing everyone on the same rytm of life because it' s what the economy needs

[@AJoyForeverBathBody]

Same here. It gets so much tougher with age, too. I used to be able to manage it, but it's getting more challenging as the years go by.

[@mia.e.morrison]

your calmness and positivity in this video are a delight. Thank you for the helpful information.

[@satina860]

Its nice to understand some of the biological underpinnings. One thing I do is lay out my clothes for the AM, this small step makes it easy in the AM, and momentum starts. I am working on getting up earlier so I can ease into the day. I almost wish there was a shock alarm of some sort. Also, to other big dreamers out there, dreams can often not help the cause of chronic AM depression and anxiety.

[@j.cochrane6881]

I love your videos! You’ve been a great help to me as I try to heal from depression and anxiety. You provide an invaluable resource to people like me. Thank you! ❤

[@DarcieRobertson]

Such a helpful video! Thank you! I’ve been dealing with much of this for years and am finally getting answers. I kept hearing people talk about the benefits of shaking our bodies, similar to how dogs do, to release energy and stress. I started doing that in the morning right after putting my feet on the ground, and it really helps release the heavy, I-don’t-want-to-move feeling. Now I know why!

[@rhondaisler1882]

Change your diet 😅 start small. I shifted from eating processed foods, to mostly healthier fresh food this last summer 2024. It was a total game changer at the doctors.😂 We took a blood and WOW 🎉, I feel better. Try it. Merry Christmas from Switzerland ❤

[@seaslife60]

I so needed to see this today! You're the best, Emma, thank you!!

[@sanekabc]

There is also morning anxiety.

[@TherapyinaNutshell]

yep, absolutely

[@annemariestones3984]

Yes I agree. I suffer from morning anxiety more than depression.

[@GabbyPaynter]

Me too. I often wake up around 3am and start a loop of problem solving that stops me from going back to sleep, or catastrophising over things that wouldn't concern me later in the day.

[@clarksondarling]

For sure!

[@biba350]

Before starting my antidepressants I'd noticed i feel more depressed in the morning now i know it's not in my imagination Thank you

[@thefruitman746]

Thx, now i just need to fix my noon, afternoon, evening and night depression. 👍🏼

[@stephenie44]

Starting an SNRI has taken the dysthymia out of my mornings. Now I’m just regular tired, which is way better.

[@frugalhousewife9878]

Thank you thank you thank you so much for this video! It was very validating but also helpful. Morning existential crises is something I struggle with all the time 🌄

[@JillRhoads]

This is a topic that I didnt know I needed. My morning depression has been so bad recently that I thought it was just work related but that might be a part of the issue and not the whole (or hole).

[@duckyb831]

Thank you for all the tips. I came across your channel yesterday and so far your videos are the only ones that have helped me. That says a lot being that I’ve been suffering from anxiety and depression for about 7 years now. Thank you!

[@jenniferdowney6578]

Wow, couldn't get over this, it's so me😮. Thank you so much. Feel like I'm not going mad after all. X

[@kristinreitz1902]

I’m so glad I found this video. I’ve been really struggling in the morning. Thank you so so much for posting this video.

[@martamegre]

Morning anxiety is my thing and pre menopause ruined my sleep. Morning anxiety sometimes makes me paralise and is way worse, so i stretch and try to move and clean up or something and have sun exposure in my window

[@kelterskelter4]

There are some great pre menopause and menopausal supplements available out there you might want to try that to help with the lack of sleep. I had a heck of a time too but sleep like a champ now.

[@debsydebsy1499]

@@kelterskelter4which do you use?

[@martamegre]

@@kelterskelter4 yeah! What do you take? I do magnesium the one good for sleep. And melatonin

[@April-rp2km]

I feel worse in the morning it at night there's nobody to talk to

[@leialuminous]

You're onto something. I think a lot of it has to do with what you're making out of your life. If you start the day off late, going on your phone immediately, eating poorly, making bad choices, don't like your job, surrounding yourself with not so great people, etc, yes, you'll likely feel depressed in the mornings. Environment is everything, starting days off early, with meditation, journaling, exercise, hot/cold exposure, have made a huge difference for me. If you're not able to do those first thing, gratitude is a huge one. Baby steps, life doesn't get easier, you just get better. ❤