Any tips for changing my attitude in the morning?

distinctlybeautiful
distinctlybeautiful Posts: 1,041 Member
edited November 10 in Motivation and Support
I don't have any trouble waking up or getting out of bed in the morning, but lately I tend to wake up in a foul mood, almost to the point of feeling angry. I wake up at five to get my husband to work on time (we share a car), and then I have the option of napping in the car or going to the gym until I have to be at work at eight. The gym isn't a necessity in the morning because we almost always go when I pick him up again after work. Anyway, not sure if all that detail is necessary, but I just wanted to give an idea of mutt morning in case it makes any difference. So does anyone have any suggestions about how to have a better attitude in the morning? Thanks!

Replies

  • squatsanddeadlift
    squatsanddeadlift Posts: 117 Member
    What time do you go to bed?
  • errollmaclean
    errollmaclean Posts: 562 Member
    Caffeine? Maybe you're just not a morning person.
  • wamydia
    wamydia Posts: 259 Member
    I second the question about when you go to bed. You may just need more sleep. Or possibly better sleep quality.

    Or maybe you just aren't a person who likes to deal with other people in the morning. I'm like that -- I can get up fine most of the time and my attitude is great unless someone tries to talk to me. Then I kind of want to punch them in the face for no good reason at all and it's not their fault - it's me. If that's the problem, the only suggestion I have is to ask people to keep their talking to you at a minimum first thing in the morning. When you get up, put on some music, open the curtain to let the light in (if there is any), and do the stuff you need to feel good in the morning (make your coffee, get a hot shower, etc) with minimum interaction until you feel up to dealing with people.
  • SwankyTomato
    SwankyTomato Posts: 442 Member
    How long have you guys been sharing a car and doing this? Maybe you just have hit a grumpy period and it will pass?

    Or are you getting less sleep right now and that is making you grumpy?
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I am a morning person. I bounce out of bed cheerful. My sort makes your sort miserable in the mornings. As a trade-off, I turn in to a pumpkin by ten every night.

    My daughter wakes up a grump. She revolutionised her mornings when she discovered her sleep cycle. If she gets 7 1/2 hours sleep, she's happy. If she wakes up to the alarm a half hour later in the middle of her deep sleep, she's miserable.

    I suggest taking some time learning your cycle and adjust accordingly. A half-hour difference could be all you need.

    http://www.sleepcycle.com/howitworks.html
  • UnicornAmanda
    UnicornAmanda Posts: 294 Member
    I'm also miserable in the morning. Maybe try going to bed earlier. Or having more caffeine in the AM!
  • yoovie
    yoovie Posts: 17,121 Member
    decide to?
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    I had a bad dream last night (that I went on vacation and nobody took care of my cats and the whole dream was about cleaning up cat poop) and woke up feeling super grumpy. A 45 minute workout cleared that right up. Try getting to bed earlier and do that workout instead of just sitting in a car for three hours? Even if it's just taking a walk it should help you feel better.
  • morningprincess
    morningprincess Posts: 6 Member
    i am so not a morning person, i can't do anything extra in the mornings- i'm always a little shocked when i show up at work with pants on. . . .
    i will say, i do believe you are just tired, if you have to get up that early and then are staying awake and going to work and then the gym and i assume you don't go to bed as soon as you get home at night, your lack of quality rest is starting to build up (i used to work 2 full time jobs and when i would wake up i would be so cranky i could spit on people, probably no the best to do though :\ ) my suggestion would be, for the next couple of weeks, go to bed 1 hour early, you have to do it for a couple of weeks though to see any results, because it will take your body that long to adjust. good luck!!! :D
  • amtru2015
    amtru2015 Posts: 179 Member
    definitely going to bed earlier!
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,744 Member
    wamydia wrote: »
    I second the question about when you go to bed. You may just need more sleep. Or possibly better sleep quality.

    Or maybe you just aren't a person who likes to deal with other people in the morning. I'm like that -- I can get up fine most of the time and my attitude is great unless someone tries to talk to me. Then I kind of want to punch them in the face for no good reason at all and it's not their fault - it's me. If that's the problem, the only suggestion I have is to ask people to keep their talking to you at a minimum first thing in the morning. When you get up, put on some music, open the curtain to let the light in (if there is any), and do the stuff you need to feel good in the morning (make your coffee, get a hot shower, etc) with minimum interaction until you feel up to dealing with people.

    Oh, I can so relate to this! I could've written this post word-for-word. If this is how you are, OP, just being with someone in the morning is enough to set you off. I know it is for me. I enjoy my solitude in the morning. I'm fortunate that I drive alone to work and have the office to myself for at least an hour and a half each day.

    I have questions about the car-sharing, though: is this recent? Is is necessary? That's really early to get up when you don't have to be to work for quite some time. If you do go to the gym in the morning to kill time, do they have a quiet place where you can meditate or read?
  • MelonFlower
    MelonFlower Posts: 37 Member
    If you can work it into your diet, this may help:

    Try eating a small potato before bed. Russet golds are usually good because they're naturally small. You can have it with butter or sour cream or whatever, but no proteins. If you have diabetes/pre-diabetes/insulin resistance/pcos, then a portion of a yam is a better choice. Eat with a little fat to slow carb absorption- no proteins!

    Why:
    The potato will cause an increase in insulin. Insulin is an energy storage hormone, and it will grab all available amino acids that were waiting to cross the blood brain barrier. Little Tryptophan will be left behind. By using insulin to tie up most other amino acids, tryptophan (which was obtained from proteins you ate earlier that day) now has an opportunity to cross the BBB. Tryptophan is usually elbowed out of line when the other amino acids are present. Once tryptophan crosses, it will convert to serotonin, a mood elevating hormone. If you have crazy wonky dreams when you first try the bedtime potato, that is an indicator that you have very low levels of serotonin.

    One other idea:
    1. Put signs up on your wall in the morning with positive mantras. I have an entire wall devoted to motivating quotes/where I'm going in life. It's a little "Beautiful Mind-y," but I find it relieves stress to wake up and remember that I actually have a plan and know what I'm doing.


    Anyone is free to add me as a friend... but I only suggest doing it if you enjoy reading nerdtritionist posts from time to time :smile:
  • JoRocka
    JoRocka Posts: 17,525 Member
    edited January 2015
    One other idea:
    1. Put signs up on your wall in the morning with positive mantras. I have an entire wall devoted to motivating quotes/where I'm going in life. It's a little "Beautiful Mind-y," but I find it relieves stress to wake up and remember that I actually have a plan and know what I'm doing.

    omgosh- I'm glad that works for you- I'd punch someone if I woke up to that every day.

    I recently had to replace my coffee mug (mine shattered) and the one I Have now this insipid cheery pale pink label that says "You can never have to much happy"

    it's everything in me to not smash it every day (I'm a week into using it)... and the only reason it still lives is because it's doing what I need it to- which is carry my coffee to me-with me- for me into the car.

  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,744 Member
    JoRocka wrote: »
    One other idea:
    1. Put signs up on your wall in the morning with positive mantras. I have an entire wall devoted to motivating quotes/where I'm going in life. It's a little "Beautiful Mind-y," but I find it relieves stress to wake up and remember that I actually have a plan and know what I'm doing.

    omgosh- I'm glad that works for you- I'd punch someone if I woke up to that every day.

    I recently had to replace my coffee mug (mine shattered) and the one I Have now this insipid cheery pale pink label that says "You can never have to much happy"

    it's everything in me to not smash it every day (I'm a week into using it)... and the only reason it still lives is because it's doing what I need it to- which is carry my coffee to me-with me- for me into the car.

    Pretty sure I'd have to paint over that saying with some black nail polish...
  • rrabe78
    rrabe78 Posts: 15 Member
    Although I agree that you want to look at your sleep cycle and possibly go to bed a bit earlier, nothing improves my mood like lifting. I recommend taking that anger out on a big pile of plates :)
  • karen_fitzgibbon
    karen_fitzgibbon Posts: 736 Member
    Eat and apple. Go for a walk maybe instead of sleeping in the car. Depending on the weather obviously lol. Watch the sunrise. Ooh maybe you could do some tai chi in the park?
  • sofaking6
    sofaking6 Posts: 4,589 Member
    BZAH10 wrote: »
    JoRocka wrote: »
    One other idea:
    1. Put signs up on your wall in the morning with positive mantras. I have an entire wall devoted to motivating quotes/where I'm going in life. It's a little "Beautiful Mind-y," but I find it relieves stress to wake up and remember that I actually have a plan and know what I'm doing.

    omgosh- I'm glad that works for you- I'd punch someone if I woke up to that every day.

    I recently had to replace my coffee mug (mine shattered) and the one I Have now this insipid cheery pale pink label that says "You can never have to much happy"

    it's everything in me to not smash it every day (I'm a week into using it)... and the only reason it still lives is because it's doing what I need it to- which is carry my coffee to me-with me- for me into the car.

    Pretty sure I'd have to paint over that saying with some black nail polish...

    I assume it means, "take more drugs", so I think it's a great saying.

  • yesimpson
    yesimpson Posts: 1,372 Member
    edited January 2015
    Knowing I have strong coffee and a good breakfast waiting for me makes the world of difference if I'm having a grumpy morning. Working out definitely does give me a nice boost, but I appreciate it seems a poor substitute for bed when you're in the moment.
  • Lounmoun
    Lounmoun Posts: 8,423 Member
    Make sure you are getting enough sleep.
    Go for a walk or do a short workout. I do find exercise can improve my mood.
    Listen to music. Sing along.
    Meditate.
    Bring something to do with you. Maybe a craft or a book. Start writing a novel.
  • distinctlybeautiful
    distinctlybeautiful Posts: 1,041 Member
    squatsanddeadlift wrote: »
    What time do you go to bed?
    wamydia wrote: »
    I second the question about when you go to bed. You may just need more sleep. Or possibly better sleep quality.

    I'd say I'm usually in bed by nine or nine thirty but not asleep until ten or ten thirty. Going to sleep earlier definitely might help, but I'm not sure I'd actually be able to sleep any earlier.
    SwankyTomato wrote: »
    How long have you guys been sharing a car and doing this? Maybe you just have hit a grumpy period and it will pass?

    Or are you getting less sleep right now and that is making you grumpy?

    We've been sharing the car for a couple months now. It's a necessity for now as we only have one car that's working. Sometimes I think I could be upset that I have to be up so long before I have to be at work, but I'm not sure if that's it because I can always sleep more once we get to his job. And no, I don't think I'm getting any less sleep than usual, but I suppose it could be that.
    BZAH10 wrote: »
    I have questions about the car-sharing, though: is this recent? Is is necessary? That's really early to get up when you don't have to be to work for quite some time. If you do go to the gym in the morning to kill time, do they have a quiet place where you can meditate or read?

    See above for the answer about the car-sharing. No, there's no place to read or meditate as far as I know. When I make it to the gym I just go in and run and then shower and get ready for work.
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