morning slump

[dettu]

I'm usually a morning person, but since I started this new job I'm coming in every morning with a distinct lack of energy or drive. It's not that I lack enthusiasm for new projects--right now, I really can't do much because I haven't received either the training or the access I need to do a lot of my work, so new things have to wait. But even for the tasks I can do, I'm just feeling kind of blah. I can't attribute it entirely to lack of sleep--I felt like this yesterday too, and I'd slept more than enough. I can't even call it lack of caffeine--this morning I treated myself to a mocha (unusual, as I normally bring plain coffee from home). I just want to sit here in a daze, which is just not a good idea!

What do you all do to get yourselves rolling in the morning?

[jane10]

I sympathise.  I normally find if I don't get going in the morning it's a vicious circle and then have greater difficulty getting going later on.  It helps to be methodical - I try to go through my bring forward file and mark out urgent tasks. To plan the day helps and try to do the more mentally demanding things when it suits you.  To take a few minutes out planning is well worth the bother.

I find if I'm physically fit I can cope with anything mentally and sometimes go to the gym in the morning, before work.  This does require a certain amount of organisation but it really does set you up for the day and actually gives you energy instead of sapping it. Even if you can't do this exercising regularly will improve your mental alertness.

Also take some time out for you in the evenings and do something that really makes you feel happy. Be it bubble bath with a glass of wine and book or meeting friends for a drink try to have some 'me' time.

Just bear in mind that this is a temporary phase and once you have the training and access you'll feel more like the old you.

Hope this helps!

[gee4]

Well I am a morning person so I check my email when I come in, plus any websites I can't get to see during the day eg. DD.  The post comes in and the milk needs put in the fridge, hey sometimes the lights need switched on if I'm first in.  I would say checking emails and bossies emails and what is scheduled in the calendar usually starts off my day.

I also think it's the time of year.  So much of December is spent partying, shopping and running around doing this and that.  January is a dead month and usually nothing exciting happens.  Once pay day comes everyone is happy again.  I have already put an email out for a work night out in Feb so perhaps you want to think of the social aspect of things you can plan and not just work.

G

[ControlledChaos]

I could lend you my teenage stepson who, despite getting up early to do his paper round, can still be late getting ready for school, consequently making you late!  You will be that frustrated that you will need to busy yourself at work to stop taking it out on the poor unsuspecting colleague who looks at you the wrong way!

[diamondlady]

I know exactly what you mean and I think lots of it has to do with weather cause right now I leave for work in the dark and drive home in the dark.  So, just try to get out and enjoy some of the things YOU enjoy doing and as others have said make time for YOU.  I know it sounds simple but by the time you get work out of the way and those "other" chores you HAVE to do, it doesn't leave lots of time.  I'm looking forward to Monday off for Holiday just to do that.  I don't plan on doing much on Monday except maybe go out for Breakfast with MIL and then that will be it, hopefully.  Maybe rent a movie or watch some stuff I got for Christmas.

I try to write things down so as not to forget things and then try to prioritize for the day what HAS to get done first and then do other things as I get time.

Hang in there, especially being in a learning mode, it can be difficult.  

Diamondlady fka chris68
Peer Moderator

[Jackie G]

Here's another suggestion and one that does it to me every time - are you eating a lot of sugary foods?

While they give you that instant boost, they cause a longer slump and combined with the grey days and cold weather, a general malaise can easily come on if you've eaten too much of the goodies.

Jackie, Peer Moderator
www.iqps.org

[tiffanyctd]

The same goes for caffeine. For years, I have had myself convinced that I couldn't live without my morning fix, but recently, I've noticed that it's actually making me sleepy. Though I haven't tried it yet, I've heard that eating an apple will give you the same boost that caffeine does, but without the crash (I think I should probably go find an apple now, because I feel like I'm about to fall over;).

[Cozwaz]

I always have a glass of apple juice in the morning and an apple as part of my lunch - it does work.

Also I met someone at the weekend who changed from drinking ordinary coffee to Dandelion coffee which is caffine free and far better for you.  Its available from all good healthfood shops and taste very similar to ordinary coffee.

My boyfriend thinks I am crackers because I am always so bright and breezy in the morning.  My problem is I am not very good at late night but can do early mornings any day!

Coz

[dettu]

I've actually cut back on my caffeine recently. I really like the taste of real, true coffee from coffee beans, so I'm not going to give it up entirely, but I do make it 50% decaf.

No, I don't eat sugary foods. Sometimes in the evening I have a little chocolate or a cookie. Breakfast is usually a sensible protein + whole grain combination.

Maybe it is the dark--and with the demands of the new schedule, I'm having touble fitting my workouts in. I'm going to run errands (what else? ) at lunch time, and for once the SUN is out and very bright! I'll be getting as much sunlight as I can.

Thanks, everyone.

[peana]

I'm half way through my annual 3-week detox.  It's quite strict - no dairy, caffine, alcohol, wheat, etc., 70% raw fruit / veg, food combining e.g. not mixing protein & carbohydrate, and loads of fluids (room temperature water, warm water with lemon or ginger, or herbal tea).  The first few days were a struggle, but I'm feeling very alert in the mornings now - much more than usual at this time of year (normally we do the detox in the spring when the thought of salad is a bit more appealing).  Maybe the same sort of programme would give you the extra boost you need at the moment?  If you can't face something so drastic (and it is a real effort to prepare so much fresh food for breakfast, am snack, lunch, pm snack, and dinner), the idea of upping your apple intake sounds pretty good.  Maybe if there's a juice bar near by, you could have some fruit or veg juices when you'd normally go for coffee.

I'm not a coffee drinker myself, but hubby is a bit of a fan of good coffee - he's missing his espresso on this detox!  However, it may be that the decaf - which I think is normally chemically treated to remove the caffine - is part of the trouble.  If you've cut back, maybe you should treat yourself to just the real thing and see if it makes a difference?

I've also been trying to take plenty of walks whilst the sun is out - as you mention, it really does make a difference to catch all the sunlight you can at this time of year.  

I hope the mornings perk up for you soon.

[raindance]

I can sympathize, Dettu. The week or so after the New Year can be a bit flat, after all the excitement of Christmas.  I also find February a difficult month as it is not quite Spring and not quite Winter either.  

As for getting myself going in the morning, breakfast is my answer. A proper breakfast sets me up nicely for the day - porridge with honey or muesli or fruit (especially bananas and mangoes). Yum.  Making me hungry already . Drinking lots of water during the day and getting out of my office, even just for a few minutes, at lunchtime really help too.

You should try to be very kind to yourself in your new job and pace yourself.  Whenever I have started a new job, I am aware I need more sleep in the first few weeks.  It isn't easy going into a new place, with new things to learn and relationships to develop.   It all takes it out of a person.

I wish you success in your new job.  Let us know how you get on.

Regards,

Raindance