When The Covers Feel Too Heavy

So, I’m not talking about the struggles in getting out of bed associated with depression, though I know that struggle. It’s hard, really really hard. If that’s where you’re at, I gently encourage you to be honest with those around you to gain support and perhaps seek out a professional, if needed.

I’m referring to the overwhelmed exhausted I don’t want to get out of bed mornings, where you wake up feeling just as tired as when you went to bed. My alarm goes off at 5 am during the week and the boys usually wake me up not much later on the weekends. It’s early. Generally, I love mornings, but the past few weeks they have felt hard. My alarm goes off and I just want to press snooze 10,000 times, pull the covers back over my head, and perhaps call in sick to work (after dropping the boys off at school). I have been trying numerous things in hopes of making this slump a bit easier.

Here are some of the things that have been helping:

1. Gratitude. When I am still in that ‘just 5 more minutes’ mode of laying in the bed I have begun to think of at least 1 thing that I am looking forward to that day. Do I get to have lunch with a friend? Time to go to the gym after work? Dinner out so I don’t have to cook? Can’t think of anything … what about that cup of coffee waiting in the kitchen???
2. Time with Jesus. For those of you who don’t believe in Jesus, there are a lot of things bigger than us. Nature? A higher power? Whatever that thing is for you that reminds you that you are utterly and unconditionally loved, spend time in that space. For me it’s setting aside intentional time to read a devotional, take a breath, and remind myself that my worth does not come from what I do, but rather in just being who I already am.
3. Prepping ahead of time. Mornings can feel daunting when you already have a million things to do before just getting out of the house, so getting them done ahead of time has helped. Lunchboxes already packed and in the fridge, uniforms/clothes already picked out the night before, etc. Whatever you can do ahead of time do it, your future self will thank you.
4. Self-talk. This one may sound ridiculous, but it works. Just try it. I literally talk to myself (mostly in my head). Don’t want to get out of bed, just take the covers off. Feel exhausted, let’s just go get a cup of coffee. Don’t feel like getting ready, totally cool let’s just throw our hair up in a bun….but we have to do something. It’s a whole lot easier to keep moving once you have taken a step.

Have you been in a funk recently? What has helped you out?