There is something about those wee early morning hours.. if we are not sleeping, it is a time when we are most vulnerable to repetitive anxious thoughts and not sleeping (as a result).

I believe we are not truly awake but we are only semi-conscious at this time. Somehow if our minds get to thinking about things (unpaid bills, issues at work, an argument you had with your spouse, something someone said to you at a party weeks ago…) it can get all blown out of proportion during this “witching hour”.

I’m amazed when I succumb to this form of anxiety at this hour just how bad it seems at the time. It feels so real. I’ll get to thinking about all of my responsibilities at work or focus in on something about my marriage or health that is downright fatalistic.

It is important for us to realize that this kind of thinking is not real. It is not really us, not really our lives… it is our mind doing its witching hour monkey tricks on us. That’s really all it is. Remember: it is not real! Don’t get up out of bed and threaten divorce with your spouse or draft a letter of resignation (or worse, an email) to your boss… do not take any action!

All that you need to do is realize that none of this is real. If you can, create some distance from it. BREATHE. Be an observer of your own thoughts
( a great skill that can be developed it you practice meditation on a regular basis). Laugh at it if you can.

In time, you will go back to sleep. You will wake up, have your coffee, start your day…once you are fully awake and have your center back life will feel all normal again. Trust me, it will!

Here’s to making light of that witching hour and not letingt our anxious minds have any power over us.

In peace,

Debra

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