Why Do I Feel So Tired When I Have Not Even Done That Much?

Have you ever had a day where you did not do that much but still felt completely exhausted by the end of it?

Maybe you went to work, answered emails, picked up a few things, handled family responsibilities, and took care of a few errands. It may not have seemed like a busy day, but you still felt like you needed to sit down for the rest of the night.

That kind of exhaustion can be confusing, especially when you are used to handling a lot.

Your Brain May Be Doing More Than You Realize

Physical activity is not the only thing that can make you tired.

You may also feel exhausted from thinking about everyone else all day. You remember what needs to get done, keep track of appointments, check in with your kids, think about your parents, respond to messages, and worry about disappointing people.

You may also spend a lot of time wondering if your partner is upset or planning what needs to happen next.

All of that mental effort can leave you feeling drained, even when your day does not seem especially busy to other people.

For women who have spent years being dependable, this can become automatic. You may not even notice how much you are managing.

It can look like:

• Feeling tired before the day starts
• Having trouble relaxing when you have free time
• Feeling guilty when you sit down
• Thinking about what everyone else needs before thinking about yourself
• Feeling overwhelmed by small decisions
• Feeling like you always need to be available
• Saying, "I just need a break," but still feeling tired after resting
• Having trouble enjoying downtime because you are thinking about your to-do list
• Feeling resentful because you keep doing things other people could handle

The issue may not be that you need a better morning routine. It may be helpful to take a closer look at how much you are managing throughout the day and how difficult it feels to step away from those responsibilities.

When It Is More Than Needing A Break

Taking a day off can help. Getting more sleep can help. Going for a walk or having a quiet night can help too.

Those things may not be enough for what you are carrying.

For some women, exhaustion is part of a life filled with people-pleasing, anxiety, caregiving, or responsibility for keeping everything organized. Rest can also feel uncomfortable when you are used to being needed.

You finally have time to yourself, but you spend that time thinking about what you should be doing, which can make it difficult to feel rested.

Therapy can give you space to talk about feeling stretched so thin. Tessa works with women who are tired of handling everything, struggling with boundaries, going through life changes, or realizing they have spent years putting their own needs last.

You do not have to stop caring about other people in order to make room for yourself. Therapy can help you work through the guilt that comes up when you begin prioritizing your own needs.

If you are tired of feeling tired and want to talk about what has been weighing on you, contact Cardinal Hope Mental Health Counseling Services to schedule a consultation with Tessa. She provides virtual therapy throughout New York.