Why You Wake Up Anxious
Your cortisol spikes up to 75 percent within 45 minutes of opening your eyes. Your threat detector wakes up before your rational brain does. That is why mornings feel like an ambush.
When Cortisol Stays Too Long
Cortisol is not the villain. In short bursts, it sharpens focus and mobilizes energy. The problem starts when the threat never quite ends and the off switch never fully engages.