[allvr00]

Do you have any tips for getting up in the morning and going to work? I've been struggling and it's a daily battle. Sometimes I win and get up. Sometimes I lose and stay in bed.

But if I get up and put one foot in front of another, I make it ok through the day (not spectacular, just ok).

It's just making myself take that first step. I'm assuming that others struggle and I'm wondering if you can share your tips, thoughts, ideas, random musings.

My mood has been swinging alot for the past 4 months. One day I was driving to work and broke down bawling so I ended up taking a week of vacation days to try and stabilize. Not fully stabilized but still fighting forward some days.

[Jan1212]

It isn't easy for me either. My problem is that I think about how I'm going to dread about my day at work and think negative before I even get out of bed. I try not to think too much and get up, make my coffee, have breakfast. I'm still working on it. I sometimes think what I'm going to do after work, shop, hang out with friend

[Little Lulu]

I have this problem also, allrv00. You also touched on what works for me ... once I am up and going I am ok.

Here is what helps me - when I am laying in bed in the AM and negative thoughts start, I think of one small positive reason to get up, which is usually a good cup of coffee.

Then I do something similar to what Jan1212 does and tell myself that these feelings usually pass and by mid-morning I will be better ... and I am. And I have something to look forward to later in the day or evening.

Another idea is to get up a little earlier than you need to and do something you like that sets a positive tone for the day ... do a spiritual reading, write in a journal, yoga, etc. - whatever moves you to a more positive place.

It gets better if you work on it ... at least is had for me.

[winter4me]

Agree with the above.
Sometimes I have had to just get up before I think Anything---though it is hard, it really feels best if I get up early, have the coffee, maybe do a little knitting/take a short walk---so that my day begins on a good note.
I also know, when I have stayed in bed, that I am going to feel crappy for not getting up----too late. Once in a while a mental health day is in order, so I do Allow myself one a quarter year ---(if I need to, depends on the work I am doing)

[JWRX]

Try not thinking about the whole day when you get up. If you take your day moment by moment and try and be aware of every little step which is pretty simple you might have an easier time.

[Little Lulu]

winter4me - I agree that no matter how I feel I need to go ahead and get up but I do like the idea of one mental health day a quarter! Thanks.

JWRX - staying in the present makes life manageable and I also like Eckhart Tolle. Thanks.

[allvr00]

I made it up today, and only started working 30 minutes late. Better than staying in bed all day like I did yesterday. But in the hour twenty mins I've been up, I've had so many mood swings - up, down, all around. I'll be glad if I ever get stable again HAHAHAHA

[thatssomething]

Originally Posted by allvr00

I'll be glad if I ever get stable again HAHAHAHA

AMEN to that! Currently fighting a random crying spell at work. Emotional stability is all I want for Christmas lol

[Perna]

I like eating regularly If one does not get up and go to work and make money, it gets hard to afford good, healthy food. I use my anxiety over my bills (and being able to afford to eat) to motivate me somewhat.

My 2nd choice is a good sleep routine/getting to bed on time and checking with the doctor to make sure I don't have anything physical that could be interrupting my sleep (I do, asthma, hypothyroid, and key vitamins).

[Secretum]

I have an incredibly hard time waking up, even if I get 10 hours of sleep. It's not a question of willpower or understanding how crucial it is to be awake; I'm too deep in sleep to comprehend these things when my alarm goes off.

What is working for me currently is caffeine pills. I set an alarm and take one 200 mg tablet (about the equivalent of a cup of coffee) an hour before I have to wake up. When my next alarm goes off, I am more awake.

[Pikku Myy]

I set my alarm an hour earlier before I need to do anything. It takes me 30 mins just to wake up and have coffee... after that I am ok. I also set my coffee maker to be sure its ready. lol

[ladytiger]

I have this problem too as I sleep 9 hrs sometimes 10-12 hrs, but do love my sleep! lol 9 hrs works for me as 8 hrs didn't cut it. I just never been a morning person only to watch my cartoons which I still miss in the mornings! Sometimes, I'd like to finish my dreams and would stay in bed to finish it. I am a very deep sleeper with shallow breathing as I am sleeping. I had a hard time getting out of bed when I was doing 8-5, 8-2, and 8-330p at work always had to drink an energy drink. I live 15 mins away from the job but still...

[kjv2acts]

I sleep too little, two or three hours a night. But about 10 years ago I chose a mantra to shake off the moodiness: "This is the day the Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."Of course it doesn't have to be scripture. Find something that inspires you and jot it down on stickies, by the bed, on the coffeepot, the bathroom mirror. Good luck. Let me know if I can help you find your perfect mantra.

[MissingNumber]

Something to look forward to helps for me, and coffee usually works as a bribe. I'll keep something special and alluring to brew at home or make time to stop at a coffee shop on the way.

[Sabrina]

I get up at 5:20 to make breakfast and lunch for the boys. I am usually back in bed by about 6am. When the boys leave for work and school at 7, I drift off again. Then it becomes a supreme battle to get out of bed. I usually force myself up at 9. I work from home so can afford to get into the office late but it is always a struggle. And hubby could come home at any time and "catch" me. That would be mortifying.