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Why we always feel worse in the mornings

Posted , 7 users are following.

johmac
johmac

I have always wondered why we feel at our worst in the morning and better in the evening. I have been looking around and here is the reason.  It is the cortisol which is the stress hormone.

Shortly after awakening, a sharp 38–75% (average 50%) increase occurs in the blood level of cortisol in about 77%[1] of healthy adults, and it occurs in people of all ages.[2] The average level of salivary cortisol upon waking is roughly 15 nmol/l; 30 minutes later it may be 23 nmol/l, though there are wide variations.[1] The cortisol awakening response reaches a maximum approximately 30 minutes after awakening though it may still be heightened by 34% an hour after waking.[1] The pattern of this response to waking is relatively stable for any individual.

Normally, the highest cortisol secretion happens in the second half of the night with peak cortisol production occurring in the early morning. Following this, cortisol levels decline throughout the day with lowest levels during the ?rst half of the night.

There is more info on Wiki if you want to read. Check out foods that are good for lowering cortisol - also green tea is apparently good.  Maybe it helps just to know why even if we can't stop it.

Jo x

 

2 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • katecogs
    katecogs johmac

    Posted

    Hey Jo, that's really great!!   I always used to put it down to that upon waking the realisation hits you that you have of another day of anxiety to face, so that dreaded feeling starts.  Thanks for sharing, that's so interesting and explains exactly why.

    I'll go check it out on wiki. xx

    K wink

  • johmac
    johmac

    Posted

    Hi Kate,

    Yes, sometimes it's just nice to know there are actual biological reasons for it. Maybe doesn't change it much but never hurts to educate ourselves.  

    Jo x

    • katecogs
      katecogs johmac

      Posted

      Its the same as how we're kept in the anxiety loop, and how the SSRI's work on serotonin.  I like reasons wink.  Yes agree, interesting about the green tea......

  • MISSIEA77
    MISSIEA77 johmac

    Posted

    I drink decaf green tea with honey every night and have noticed a little difference in the morning anxiety but still there lol.. I'll have to look at the other stuff that will help.  Thanks for this info.

    Missie

  • sybs
    sybs johmac

    Posted

    Johmac

    Thank you for the most interesting information.Mornings are agony for me

  • johmac
    johmac

    Posted

    I know exactly how mornings are and the feelings - we have the odds stacked against us when we are on the meds, especially at the beginning when we are most vulnerable and don't have a clue what is happening to us and it's so frightening. Dr's try to do their job but it's too clinical, I guess but they don't know how it truly feels.  I have learned a lot since coming on here, mostly from Katecogs helping us to know it's the abnormally normal way they work - just thought I'd try and contribute a little.  Even knowing how SSRI's are working (like a glacier), it helps if we know they are this slow to get the job done and try and roll with it.  cry 

    Hope tomorrow is good to you. Also heard lemon balm and lavender oil is good, will have to do a little shop to try it all out. 

    Blessings,

    Jo xlol  

    • Chris00000
      Chris00000 johmac

      Posted

      Thanks for sharing this information, IV been researching best foods to lower cortisol and they are advocado, chamomile tea, green tea, sardines, anchovies, dark chocolate, walnuts, cashews, papaya, leafy greens, and many more, so IV been to tescos and bought the lot lol, I too have had so much advice off katecogs, she put me on the right path to recovery especially the book she advised me to read. Thanks Chris x
  • johmac
    johmac

    Posted

    Hi Chris

    Thanks for putting the foods on here. I was meaning to do that but the week just went by too quick. Yes, I saw pretty much what you listed. We have to try and use whatever means we can - just knowing we can sometimes do things to help ourselves.  

    Jo x 

    • Chris00000
      Chris00000 johmac

      Posted

      Definitely Jo, if it weren't for people like yourself and many others giving advice on here I wouldn't be where I am today, (feeling better), thanks again Jo, and katecogs IV just finished the book and IV learnt so much about my symptoms, the book is the answer to everything IV been trying to figure out, much love Chris xx

  • johmac
    johmac

    Posted

    Yes Chris, I can't say enough good things about Kate - what a dear heart she is and she does not even have to come here since she has recovered fully. So many of us rely on what she has gone through.  What is the book she recommended?  I know she is a fan of Claire Weekes. I'm putting some stuff in my Amazon cart for when I reach the free shipping (tight with my money as a true Scot). smile  I'm going to do a shop on the weekend. I like most of the stuff on the list and I may also add a Complex Multi Vitamin B - apparently that helps with stress.  

    Jo x

     

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