
For those who suffer from depression, mornings are often the worst time. Once the day gets started, a person’s mood usually lifts and energy will return. But those first few moments of having to adjust to a day when everything feels bleak is beyond challenging. Here are 6 proven ways to make depressing mornings easier!
1. Use Light to Wake Up
I’ve written before about how it’s easier to get out of bed in the morning if you can use light, and not just an audible alarm, to wake you up. You can buy a fancy light alarm clock, or get an inexpensive timer at your hardware store and plug your bedside table lamp into it. Either way, waking up to a lighted room is easier and much less depressing, especially during winter.
2. Stock Your Bedside Table
Here’s what to put within arm’s reach of your bed: a glass of water, your psychotropic medication(s) in a little cup, and a low-sugar protein/energy bar. When your alarm goes off, you open that protein bar and eat it, then take your meds. Yes, you’ve got to set it up the night before. It will be worth it. You don’t have to get out from under your nice, warm blankets to let your meds start working and get your blood sugar stabilized to help your mood.
3. Get an Emotional Uplift
Starting the day with depression requires that you put other, more positive thoughts into your mind as soon as possible. Have a book or list of positive affirmations, or other inspirational material on your bedside table to give your mind a helping hand up. Need some ideas? Positive Affirmations
4. Get Moving ASAP!

It’s the last thing you want to do when you are depressed. It also just happens to be the best thing you can do: Move! Go get your favorite caffeine delivery system (coffee or tea) unless that will cause anxiety symptoms to worsen. Then hit the treadmill, bike, or take a walk. Depression can increase body aches and pain, so if it hurts to move, just stay in bed or drop to the floor and do some gentle stretching. Movement makes a huge difference in your ability to effectively cope with depression.
5. Don’t Think
What I mean by “Don’t Think” is that morning is not a good time for you to ask yourself if you really want to get up much less ponder the meaning of it all. This is true for everyone! Morning is not a time to engage your brain. Just go on autopilot for the first hour or so: take your meds, read your affirmations, move your body, get some caffeine, make your bed, head to the shower, and get dressed. Then you can think. Forward movement begets more forward movement, so that’s all we’re looking for… not good answers as to why you should get up. Those will come later!
6. Plan for Mornings at Night
You can see that if you’re going to have an easier time in the morning, it helps to set things up the night before. This is a secret shared by most highly functional people, and you can use it even when depressed. Put out your water, pills, protein bar, affirmations, and workout clothes the night before. Set your coffeemaker to go off when you want your first cup. Make it easy on yourself. It’s hard enough coping with depression. You deserve to not have it any harder.
Dr. Anita Sanz, PhD, Psychologist
Do You Know How to Enjoy A Harvest?
Your Miniature Thanksgiving Day Heading f you stay up with the latest in self-help and coaching, you will notice that many…
Self-Esteem Is YOUR Job
Self-Doubt and Low Self-Esteem Not sure if you’re all that sexy and attractive? Do you constantly need approval from others?…
Please Don’t Try to Change
Don’t Try! I mean it. Don’t try to change. Not one thing. Not your bad habits, your bad behavior, or your…
How To Avoid Getting Sick
Who Gets Sick? When Dr. Sheldon Cohen and his team at Carnegie Mellon University studied which participants became sick after having…
The Bobsled Principle
IT’S NOT MY PROBLEM… My favorite image of a team is the 2-person bobsled. (Known fact: I LOVE THE OLYMPICS!!!!)…
Embracing Ambivalence
You know you need to leave him or her. It’s a bad…no…it’s a truly toxic relationship. But you just can’t…
The Art of Being Present
Marina Abramovic This week I am compelled to tell you about an amazing documentary I recently watched on HBO of…
Drug Free Pain Management
There are over 100 million Americans who suffer from chronic pain. If you have ever experienced severe pain that lasts…
Sometimes You Just Gotta Let Go
You know you need to let go of your need to be in complete control of everything and everyone in…
Dump It On the Table!
I’ve Got Some Emotional Baggage Here… “I’m sorry I’m dumping all of my problems on you.” How many times have…
My Favorite Life Planner Hacks
I have been using a Life Planner for decades, switching between different types to see which one worked best for…
How to Take Mental Health Meds Safely
Mental Health Medication If you take psychotropic medications, meaning anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, or anti-psychotic medications, it’s not unusual…
Mental Health Hygiene
Cut Your Therapy Bill In Half! Psychotherapists can do so much to improve mental health. They can provide information, teach…
What Are You Waiting For?
Do you think that you’ll be happy when you finally lose those 15-20+ pounds? Do you think that when you…
- Well Being (59)
- Life Hacks (20)
- The Big Picture (9)
- Health (10)
- Relationships (13)
- Holidays (7)
- Therapy (43)
- Anxiety (11)
- Depression (16)
- On The Couch (16)
- Life Planning (5)