When You’re Anxious and Exhausted at the Same Time

Have you ever noticed that when you’re anxious, your body feels both wired and exhausted?
It can be a confusing mix, your mind might be racing while your body feels heavy, tense, or completely drained. Many people describe this as being stuck on high alert, even when there’s nothing specific to do or fix.

This happens because anxiety activates the body’s stress response. Your nervous system releases energy to prepare for action, but when the stress doesn’t have a clear outlet, or when you’ve been living with ongoing uncertainty or pressure, your system doesn’t fully reset. It keeps humming in the background, which can lead to fatigue, restlessness, and difficulty relaxing even when you try to rest.

In therapy, I often support people in learning how to notice and respond to their body’s signals with curiosity instead of judgment. Sometimes that means slowing down, grounding through breath or movement, or simply allowing yourself to feel what’s there without pushing it away. Over time, this helps the body and mind begin to work together again rather than against each other.

If you find yourself caught in that cycle of feeling both tired and tense, you’re not alone. With the right support, it’s possible to understand your anxiety in a new way one that helps you feel more steady and at home in your body.

If you’d like support in learning how to calm your nervous system and reconnect with a sense of inner stability, you can learn more about my therapy approach by visiting my About page.

Laura :)