morning anxiety

[Teacher9]

So i'm a relief teacher and have to wait for a call every morning for work. I've done this for many years and the anxiety is always there yet I've learnt to manage it better and it is usually only really bad after school holidays. Once I break the ice and get to work i'm fine but once I wake up and wait the anxiety grows. Growing up when I would be anxious going back to school or work I had family to talk to in the morning which diverted my attention, but I basically live on my own as hubby works away months at a time.

This was first week back and I had a call in advance for work (which I usually prefer to get organised) but seeing it was just after school holidays my anxiety and anticipation was worse. Having been told in advance I had work, made my mind go into over drive and I woke up reaaal early thinking of everything and anything.To make matters worse I had bad period pain (sorry tmi) which amplified my emotions and I felt sick from this also. I got so overwhelmed I had to call in sick, which they were fine with but after a sleep and by mid morning i'm fine and want to slap myself for being so silly. Then I beat myself up over knocking back work. What can I do to stop morning anxiety until I get back in the swing of things. I only get this a few times a year.

[white knight]

Hi teacher9, welcome

I'm chuckling to myself. See, my daughter who had been full time contract teacher for 5 years recently resigned due to anxiety and over work. She is now casual.

She found the demands on her were excessive and other teachers would handball their own responsibilities onto her. At the end of her day its her time now.

However, she is in a sound financial position. I recall when I relied on overtime, waiting for that call...not good. Yes the waking up early etc.

Can I suggest you research "muscle tensioning exercises" and find relaxation classes along with your GPs recommendations.

I hope I've helped.

Tony WK

[MarkJT]

Teacher9, when i was having morning anxiety issues, what i did was put my phone into the clock/radio and set the alarm at what ever time i had to get up. I had the alarm as my phone and it was set to my favorite songs. The alarm would go off playing my fave songs and as I set the alarm about 15 minutes early, I would lie there in bed listening to music which for me is the #1 type of mindfulness that i do.

Another thing i did was as soon as i got up was to go for a run. This would settle me and calm me down.

Cheers

Mark.

[Teacher9]

haha yeah I come from a family of teachers, I should have known what I was getting myself into. I definitely am not interested in full time work after being in many temp positions and knowing how the systems works now.Will look into those exercises, thanks.