Why Am I So Tired All the Time? It Might Be More Than Burnout
We all have those days where we feel drained before we even start. Maybe it’s after a long week at work or following a particularly emotional event. That kind of tiredness makes sense. But what about the days where you're still exhausted—no matter how much sleep you get, how many coffees you drink, or how much you try to “pull yourself together”? If you’ve found yourself asking, “Why am I so tired all the time?”, the answer might go deeper than burnout.
In our fast-paced, productivity-driven world, burnout has become a popular (and often overused) explanation for exhaustion. But sometimes, what looks like burnout on the surface is actually a sign of something deeper—like anxiety or depression.
Exhaustion Isn’t Always Just About Doing Too Much
Burnout is typically associated with work stress, long hours, and a lack of rest. It makes sense that many of us automatically assume that when we are tired it is from “doing too much”. But what if you’ve tried to slow down… and you are still feeling tired? Tiredness can be more than just physical exhaustion– especially the kind that doesn’t go away with rest. Exhaustion can be emotional, mental, and psychological. In some cases, it is a signal from your body and mind that something deeper is going on, something that rest alone can’t repair. Chronic fatigue may be your body waving a red flag that’s telling you it’s time to have a check in. This isn’t just with your calendar to avoid the burnout, it’s checking in with your emotional well-being.
When Tiredness Is a Symptom of Depression
Depression doesn’t always look like sadness. It can show up in our lives in many different ways. For many people, it shows up as a persistent heaviness or fog. It can be described like a feeling of walking through quicksand, no matter what you’re doing. One of the most common (most misunderstood) symptoms of depression is fatigue. This isn’t just feeling “a little sleepy”. Fatigue from depression is bone-deep exhaustion that doesn’t lift, even after a full night’s rest.
If you’re experiencing any of the following alongside chronic fatigue, it could be a good idea to explore whether depression is part of the picture:
Feeling unmotivated, even with tasks you used to enjoy
Sleeping more than usual or struggling to be able to sleep
Changes in your appetite or weight
Difficulty concentrating (brain fog) or making decisions
A general sense of numbness or detachment
Feeling like every day is a struggle and just feel like you have to “get through”
You don’t have to check all of these points to take your feelings/symptoms seriously. Depression is different for everyone. But if the fatigue is overpowering and paired with emotional or mental shifts, it’s worth taking a closer look.
Anxiety Can Wear On You Too
Anxiety isn’t just about worry. It is about living in a constant state of alert, stressed, and overwhelmed. Even if your mind isn’t actively spiraling, your body might still be stuck in fight-or-flight mode. And that– is exhausting.
Chronic anxiety keeps your nervous system activated. Overtime, this can lead to emotional stress, sleep disruptions, and even physical symptoms like muscle tension, headaches, or digestive issues, which all drain your energy reserves. You might be experiencing anxiety-related exhaustion if you:
Wake up feeling exhausted, no matter how much sleep you got
Have racing thoughts
Struggle to relax, even when you’re not
Feel jumpy, restless, or constantly on edge
Experience frequent body aches, tightness, or tension
While a lot of these symptoms can often be dismissed as just stress, they can be powerful indicators of chronic anxiety, especially when they linger or interfere with your daily life.
“But I Don’t Feel Depressed or Anxious”
Many people who are living with depression or anxiety don’t realize it at first. They are functioning, showing up, and could even be smiling and seeming okay to the outside world. This is because both depression and anxiety can be quiet, subtle, and sneaky.
Anxiety and depression show up in ways that are not just thoughts or feelings. They can show up in your body through fatigue, sleep changes, stomach issues and more which many perceive as being burnout. Our culture tends to separate mental health from physical health, when they are a lot more connected than we realize. Because of this, these symptoms are often overlooked.
It is easy for many to think that they are just “lazy” or “not trying hard enough”. But, we are here to tell you that if your body feels constantly worn down, it might be carrying more than just physical weight.
Connection Between Mental Health and Your Energy Levels
We often separate mental and physical health as if they operate in different systems. But the truth is, your brain and body are in constant conversation, and when your emotional well-being is suffering, your physical energy responds.
Here’s how it works:
Your body’s stress response is designed to help you survive danger. When you’re anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally distressed, your brain releases stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones trigger physical reactions: faster heart rate, shallow breathing, tense muscles, and heightened alertness. In short bursts, this stress response helps you focus and react. But when your brain stays in this alert state—especially due to chronic anxiety, unresolved trauma, or prolonged emotional strain—it becomes exhausting. Your nervous system is essentially working overtime without a break.
Meanwhile, depression can do the opposite: it slows your nervous system down. Instead of being overstimulated, your brain might struggle to release the right balance of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. This can make your body feel sluggish, heavy, and unmotivated, no matter how much rest you get.
Both scenarios (heightened anxiety or low-level depression) create an imbalance between what your body needs and what it feels capable of doing. That disconnect is draining—not just mentally, but physically.
Tired Becoming Your New Normal
There is a big difference in just getting through the day and thriving. You might be functioning by managing the basics in life, keeping up appearances, getting things done, etc.-- but, it feels like a marathon. If this is how you feel, considering something more than just burnout, and what you’ve been carrying emotionally is important.
Depression and anxiety are treatable. Therapy can help you unpack what’s going on beneath the surface, and begin to start your healing journey. You don’t have to wait for things to get worse to ask for support. If you are constantly feeling “burnt out”, that is your body’s way of asking for help.
Reflecting
You may struggle to know whether or not your feeling is “enough” to seek help. You may catch yourself asking:
Is this normal?
Am I just not trying hard enough?
Do I really need therapy for this?
Am I too sensitive or overreacting?
If you’re sitting with these feelings and questions, we have created something for you that can help. Our FREE GUIDE: “How to Know When It’s Time to Seek Therapy” is designed to help you reflect honestly and gently on your mental and emotional health. There is no pressure, and no shame. It is just a space to explore what you’re feeling and why it matters.
What You Can Do Today
If you are resonating with this post, here are some next steps you can start today.
Name what you’re feeling.
Sometimes, letting it out that you are feeling overwhelmed– and not . just tired, or struggling emotionally can lift some of the weight of shame.
2. Practice self- compassion.
You are not weak for feeling this way. You are human. Chronic tiredness is not a sign of failing, it’s a signal.
3. Reach out for support.
Whether it’s starting with our Free Guide, scheduling therapy, or talking with someone you trust, connection is key when healing.
4. Listen to your body.
Give yourself permission to rest, not just physically. It is important to rest emotionally as well. It is okay to have less on the calendar, say no, set boundaries, and create space.
Anxiety and Depression Therapy in Raleigh, North Carolina
At Your Journey Through, we offer anxiety and depression therapy. We are here to help you through the overwhelming feelings of chronic exhaustion. Your Journey Through will help you uncover what you are feeling, without judgment, and be there to support you. Therapy offers a space to explore why you feel exhausted, unpack the emotional weight you’ve been carrying, and how to find relief that will last. Whether it is anxiety, depression, burnout, or a combination of all three, we are here to walk alongside you in your journey.
You deserve more than just getting by, you deserve to truly feel like yourself again.
Support Can Start Now
Download our FREE GUIDE: How to Know When It’s Time to Seek Therapy and begin reflecting on your needs at your own pace. And when you are ready for support, we are here for you.
