Why You’re Tired All the Time (And What to Do About It)
Why are so many of us waking up tired even after 7+ hours of sleep? Spoiler: It’s not just about rest—it's about restoration.
Kamy Charles
4/2/20252 min read
You’ve had your coffee. You went to bed on time. You’re not sick… yet you still feel drained. What gives?
If you're constantly tired—mentally, emotionally, or physically—you're not alone.
Many professionals, especially millennials and Gen Zs navigating high-performance environments, are struggling with a kind of fatigue that a nap won’t fix.
Let’s break down what’s really going on—and how to bounce back.
1. Mental Fatigue: Your Brain Is Overstimulated
Emails, Slack messages, news alerts, deadlines, and endless decision-making. The constant cognitive load adds up.
Fix It: Start your day with intention—before screens. Create mental white space with journaling, a morning walk, or five minutes of stillness. Reduce context-switching by batching similar tasks together.
2. Emotional Fatigue: Your Boundaries Are Blurry
If you’re constantly people-pleasing or over-accommodating, you’re likely draining your emotional reserves.
Fix It: Practice saying “no” without overexplaining. Let “I can’t commit to that right now” be a full sentence. Surround yourself with energy-givers, not energy-drainers.
3. Physical Fatigue: Your Body’s Crying Out for Movement
Being sedentary can paradoxically make you feel more tired. Movement isn’t just for fitness—it’s for energy.
Fix It: Stretch between meetings. Take walking calls. Prioritize strength and mobility over perfection.
4. Soul Fatigue: You’re Out of Alignment
When your values, purpose, or creativity are being stifled, even small tasks feel exhausting.
Fix It: Reconnect with joy. Revisit your “why.” Engage in activities that bring you alive—music, nature, storytelling, building something, or helping someone.
So… Why Are You REALLY Tired?
Sometimes it’s one of these. Often, it’s all four.
True rest isn’t just about logging more hours in bed—it’s about restoring the areas of your life that are out of alignment.
Final Word:
Burnout doesn’t always look like collapse. Sometimes, it looks like functioning—just without feeling.
If you’re tired all the time, listen to your fatigue. It’s not laziness—it’s a message. And when you answer it with real rest and intentional shifts, you can start to feel like yourself again.
What type of rest do you need most right now?