Waking up to a blaring alarm, juggling a to-do list that seems endless, and trying to get out the door on time; your stress levels are never higher than first thing — sound familiar?
You’re not alone. Morning stress is an all-too-common occurrence. Yet, our mornings often set the stage for the rest of our day. When they begin in chaos, it’s easy to feel like you’re playing catch-up all day long and caught up in a state of panic. But what if there was a really easy way to change this? What if only a few seconds granted you a much calmer start (despite anything that goes wrong first thing!)?
In this article, we’re going to offer up a really easy and simple way to lower your stress levels in the morning. But first, let’s uncover why you might feel ultra-stressed in the first place.
Why Do I Feel More Stressed in the Morning?
A lot of this comes down to our hormones and their daily rhythms.
As you may already know, the body operates on a circadian rhythm, a 24-hour internal clock that regulates various physiological processes, including sleep, metabolism, and hormone secretion. One of the hormones affected is cortisol, commonly known as the “stress hormone.”
Typically, cortisol levels peak in the early morning, shortly after waking, to help you feel alert and ready for the day. However, elevated cortisol can also make you feel anxious or stressed, particularly if you’re already prone to anxiety or have stress in your daily life.
A poor sleep can also contribute to elevated cortisol levels first thing, lowering your ability to handle stress.
How Can I Lower My Stress in the Morning?
While deep breathing, meditation, and exercise can all help lower stress, there’s another trick that isn’t commonly talked about…
And the truth is that it’s ultra-simple. So, here’s what you can do:
Spend about 20-30 seconds viewing nature. It’s even better if you can look outside from a window a few floors up and stare at a panoramic view. This is a natural and easy way to lower stress. As you stare out the window, you’ll notice your stress slowly dissipate. You might feel more calm and at ease and more ready to tackle your day.
In particular, a panoramic view opens up our peripherals, which lowers the “fight-and-flight” response and activates our relaxation systems.
In contrast, you might notice your stress levels increase when focusing on one small thing in front of you, such as your computer screen. Compare the differences. Do you notice yourself relax?
If you want to uncover more ways to de-stress, chiropractic care can help. Book your FREE discovery call with your local Finsbury Park chiropractor! BOOK NOW.
Panoramic view