There are many possible reasons why someone might wake up in the morning with anxiety, including stress from work, school, or relationship issues.

While it’s common to wake up feeling anxious from time to time, if it happens frequently, it could indicate generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

According to Medical News Today, generalized anxiety disorder is a condition that causes uncontrollable worry that affects daily life.

People with a history of anxiety or a family history may be at higher risk than others, but anyone can experience this condition. Below are some common triggers that can cause someone to feel anxious in the morning!

1. Work, Home, or School Stress

Stress is the body’s natural response to unpleasant stimuli. The body releases cortisol, often called the stress hormone, when a person feels worried or stressed. According to a study, the body releases high levels of cortisol in the morning when someone is under a lot of stress.

This release of cortisol, which wakes a person up, is known as the cortisol awakening response (CAR). CAR is the most likely cause of why someone, with or without GAD, may wake up feeling anxious. For most people, this feeling fades once the stressor disappears. If not, it might be a good idea to talk to a mental health professional about their ongoing anxiety.

2. Relationship Issues

In a small study, researchers asked 29 couples to record their relationship experiences during the day and how they slept at night. The results showed that when women reported having positive interactions with their partners during the day, both they and their partners slept better than when they had negative interactions. Therefore, relationship problems or negative interactions with a partner can trigger GAD in someone.

3. Life Events

GAD and other anxiety disorders can develop due to ongoing or acute stressful life events. Some life events that may trigger anxiety upon waking include:

- Changes in living arrangements, such as moving to a new area or someone else moving in.

- Job changes, like switching jobs or losing a job.

- Experiencing physical and mental.

- Separation or the death of a loved one.

- Emotional shock following a traumatic event.

4. Financial Issues

Finances affect nearly every adults, and many people worry about them. However, for some, thinking about and worrying about finances can become overwhelming. When someone excessively worries about their finances, they may develop anxiety that affects their sleep and how they feel when they wake up.

5. Physical Health Issues

Chronic physical illnesses can cause someone to feel more anxious. While everyone will respond differently to health conditions, someone with medical issues may develop anxiety. Some common health conditions that can trigger anxiety include:

- Diabetes

- Heart disease

- Hypertension

- Asthma

- Psoriasis

- Depression

- Cancer

6. Other Mental Health Disorders

A person living with GAD may not have any other mental health disorders. However, if they do have conditions such as depression or bipolar disorder, their anxiety symptoms may worsen. This exacerbation can cause someone to wake up feeling anxious in the morning.

Waking up with anxiety can be caused by various factors such as stress, substance use, relationship issues, life events, financial worries, physical health problems, and other mental health disorders. Understanding the underlying triggers and addressing them—whether through professional help, lifestyle changes, or managing stress—can help alleviate morning anxiety!

Morning Anxiety? It Might Be Cortisol Awakening Response

Video by Therapy in a Nutshell