Why Rest Feels Hard (Even When You’re Exhausted)

Many people feel exhausted yet unable to truly rest. Even when there’s time to slow down, the body stays tense, the mind keeps racing, and relaxation feels out of reach. This experience can be confusing, and often leads to self-blame.

From a nervous system perspective, rest feels unsafe when your body has learned to stay alert. Chronic stress trains the system to prioritize vigilance over recovery. Over time, slowing down can feel unfamiliar or even uncomfortable.

This is why rest isn’t always restorative at first. The nervous system needs help relearning how to downshift. Holistic mental health approaches focus on supporting that transition gently, without forcing stillness or silence.

Somatic practices help the body experience safety through sensation: movement, breath, grounding, and rhythm. These cues signal to the nervous system that it’s okay to soften.

As regulation improves, rest begins to feel less like something you have to work at and more like something your body naturally allows.