To ask how to wake up early without feeling anxiety and dread?

[morningm]

I really struggle when waking up early (6:30am) in the mornings. I feel a deep feeling of dread and I have this feeling of 'I want to go home'. It doesn't happen if I wake up at 8:30 or later. I go to bed early (22:00-23:00) but I still feel exhausted and really anxious and unhappy. When I've had 9am meetings cancelled and have been able to go in 10am instead my mood and mental health is a lot different, I feel like a completely different person.

Is there a way I can feel better in the mornings or is it my natural sleep cycle?

I don't think your bedtime is early for getting up at 6:30. You could try going to bed earlier, but it needs to be every weeknight so your body gets used to it.

Have you tried a sunrise alarm clock? That really changed my attitude to getting up early especially while it's still dark outside. Then a nice glass.of cold water or juice and a walk sets me up for the day

I agree with both posters. I don't think 10 or 11pm is early enough in bed for a 6.30 wake up, and I would recommend a sunrise alarm clock which gently starts getting light before you need to wake up.

I really struggle with early starts, especially at this time of year and the sunrise alarm makes a massive difference for me. I always find it much easier to get up in the summer. My brain doesn't really kick in until after 8am though!

I really didn't think through my life choices when I married a dairy farmer who gets up at about 4.30 🤣

Thank you all, I've now ordered a sunrise alarm clock to try as I was considering doing so before and your replies have convinced me!

What time would be good to go to bed for a 6:30am wake up? I thought 10:30 was early enough as it would give 8 hours of sleep?

My cycle changed from having the kids.

keep your evenings dark, your mornings bright. Stand outside as early as you can in the morning for a couple of minutes.

Do you fall straight asleep though?

If I needed to be up at 6.30 or earlier, which is often, I go to bed nine hours before.

That way I can relax and sort of take my time going off to sleep without stressing. If I wake up before my alarm, that’s more time to faff about in the morning.

Are you giving yourself enough time to get ready in those mornings? I always give myself at least an hour before I have to leave the house.

We’re all different, but I do often find if I talk to someone who insists they cannot function before 7am that they are going to bed really late.

Yes, it's the falling asleep time that counts, I'd be aiming for between 9 and 10 in bed to allow time to drop off.