Office Hours with Arthur Brooks Why You Wake Up Anxious, And How to Fix It
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Jan 22, 2026 Many people wake up feeling anxious, and there's a biological reason for it—cortisol spikes in the morning can contribute to that unease. Embracing negative emotions is essential for balance and survival. Discover the benefits of waking before dawn, known as Brahma Muhurta, which enhances clarity and creativity. A well-structured morning routine can calm your mind; adopting just a few science-backed practices may transform your mornings. Arthur shares his own transformative 4:30 AM routine to tackle morning anxiety effectively.
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Negative Emotions Are Functional
- The limbic system creates both positive and negative emotions because you need both to survive and thrive.
- Negative emotions act as an alarm system that protects you from danger and keeps life functional.
Four Emotional Profiles Explain Mood Differences
- People vary in emotional intensity across positive and negative axes, producing four affect profiles.
- Knowing your profile (e.g., high negative affect) explains why mornings or stress hit you harder than others.
Brooks' Morning Struggle With High Affect
- Arthur C. Brooks identifies as a high-intensity person who feels both strong positive and negative emotions.
- He says his high morning negative affect combines with cortisol spikes and family insomnia history to make mornings especially challenging.