As we awaken from the deep chasm of sleep, interrupted though it might have been by a series of dreams, the natural stress hormones of our body begin to peak, preparing us to face the challenges of life. For early man, this biochemical reaction may have been especially vital, susceptible as he was to predators, storms and the other threats of nature. Stoking his awareness and capacity for flight, cortisol and other hormones assured a rapid transition from the inertia of sleep.
While this natural process may be less crucial today, its effects remain and, at times, may have negative consequences. Dragged from the carefree world of sleep into the reality of our modern life, we are suddenly flooded with problems that we managed to ignore throughout the night. Recent turmoil, current demands, chronic worries and looming threats all come streaming into conciousness, raising our level of stress to what is often its highest point in the course of a day. Indeed, medical studies have often demonstrated a high incidence of myocardial infarction (commonly known as a heart attack) during the early morning hours.
Awareness of this natural human trait is the key to avoiding its consequences. Should you awaken and find yourself suddenly overwhelmed by the demands of the coming day or week, remind yourself that this is morning stress and conciously choose to ignore those problems for an hour or two. By then, your biochemical engine will begin to cool down and a more reasoned approach to their solutions will become apparent. As with most health-related issues, we have a good deal of control over the negative effects of this natural stress response.
