Why Are Some Folks Cranky When They Waken?

Cranky Brain Waves Sleep

How many of you wake up feeling in-sync first thing in the morning? I’m suspecting a great many of you do not. Fact is, some friends tell me they feel cranky first thing in the morning? What causes early morning “cranks?”

Interestingly, feeling out of sorts first thing in the morning might have more to do with the brain than it does with feelings or emotions, though out-of sync brain waves can affect your feelings.

What actually happens? As you fall asleep, your brain waves move down from the more active waves where we operate in the day, beta, alpha or theta to the delta, or slowest waves.

And, there’s more to sleep than you might think. Harvard researcher, Lawrence Epstein, distinguishes “sleep architecture.” He describes two different types of sleep: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-REM or quiet sleep. And, these two types of rest are as different as night from day! Quiet sleep has been defined as "an idling brain in a movable body," since thinking and most physiological activities slow, but movement still occurs. On the other hand, intense brain activity often associated with dreams occurs during REM sleep.

When some folks waken, they try to move faster than their brain waves are moving, especially if rock music jars them out of quiet sleep. This abrupt, unsettling change leads to “crankiness.” I suspect that “hyper” folks experience this out-of-sync sensation often, but now can understand why. So, what to do?...

Grab that newspaper and mug of coffee or something else you enjoy, like tune into ambient music or watch the birds at your feeder for a few minutes, while your brain waves catch up! Brain friendly activities are in sync with slower brain waves.

Meantime, I’ll guard against going to work as a “crank!” You?