Lisa Edmondson (Masters Health Coaching (HCANZA), BHsNursing (169984), PostGradDipPH, PostGradDipEd)
More and more people are saying the same thing:
“I’m exhausted.”
“I can’t switch off.”
“I feel flat.”
“I don’t feel like myself anymore.”
This isn’t just about being busy.
Burnout and anxiety are showing up in teenagers, parents, business owners, retirees — people who once felt capable and resilient now feel stretched thin.
So what does this actually feel like?
You wake up tired even after sleeping. Your patience is shorter. Small tasks feel big. You forget things. You start dreading things you used to manage easily. You might feel emotional for no clear reason — or completely numb.
Physically, your body might feel tight or heavy. Your digestion may change. You might crave sugar or caffeine just to get through the day. You lie in bed tired but wired.
This isn’t laziness.
It’s a stressed nervous system.
Why Is This Happening More Now?
Life has become constantly “on.”
Our phones rarely leave our hands. Work follows us home. News updates never stop. We compare ourselves to thousands of people online without even realising it.
Even if nothing dramatic is happening in your life, your nervous system is being stimulated all day.
And here’s the important part: your body doesn’t know the difference between a real physical threat and a constant stream of emails, notifications and mental pressure.
Stress hormones stay elevated. Over time, that drains your energy.
What’s Happening Inside Your Body?
When you’re stressed for too long:
- Your brain stays alert.
- Your muscles stay slightly tense.
- Your sleep becomes lighter.
- Your body uses more nutrients.
- Your digestion slows down.
- Your immune system weakens.
You burn energy faster than you restore it.
Eventually, your body pulls the handbrake. That’s when you feel exhausted, flat, unmotivated or anxious.
It’s not a failure. It’s a protection mechanism.
Is There a Way to Prevent It?
There isn’t one magic solution, but there are simple shifts that make a big difference.
Your nervous system needs signals of safety.
That can look like:
- Regular sleep and wake times.
- Real breaks away from screens.
- Time outdoors.
- Moving your body gently.
- Eating regularly and consistently.
- Talking honestly with someone you trust.
- Reducing unrealistic expectations.
Most importantly, it means not waiting until you are completely depleted before making changes.
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It builds slowly. And recovery also happens slowly — with consistency.
If you feel like you are running on empty, you are not alone. And you are not weak.
Your body is asking for recalibration.
Listening early is easier than rebuilding later.