Tiredness and anxiety go hand-in-hand. In fact, fatigue can be a warning sign of depression and anxiety, even if you don’t realize you’re feeling that way. But why does anxiety make you tired, and what can you do about it?
Tiredness from Mentally Exhaustion
That’s right – anxiety can make you mentally exhausted. Your mind can get worn out just like your body can. That’s why people with mentally taxing jobs still come home exhausted, even if they have not done much physical labor.
Anxiety causes your brain to work overtime. Instead of focusing on a specific task, your mind is riddled with hypothetical scenarios and other negative thought patterns. Getting control of your anxiety will help reduce this exhaustion, and it will help you focus more throughout the day. If you’re interested in anxiety treatment, feel free to contact us at (888) 726-7170.
Tiredness after an Anxiety Attack
Some people experience tiredness after an anxiety attack. This is similar to the feeling you might get after an adrenaline dump – a big burst of energy followed by a big crash. During a panic attack, your body is in fight-or-flight mode. Your heart races just like it would in an intense survival situation. Once your mind and body realize there is no danger to worry about, you may feel a sudden loss of energy.
Tiredness from a Poor Sleep Routine
Anxiety may cause you to toss and turn at night, or have difficulty falling asleep. A poor night of sleep will leave you feeling groggy the next day, and this builds with every sleepless night thereafter. With proper sleep, your brain has a chance to sort through memories and emotions from the day, giving you a fresh start when you wake up. Check out our sleep routine guide to learn how to create a healthy sleeping environment.
Quick Tips to Combat Tiredness from Anxiety
If you’re tired of feeling tired, these quick tips may help you get the perk-up you need.
- Keep naps short and early. Avoid taking naps within a few hours of bedtime, and try to limit them to 20 minutes each. This is the appropriate time for a power nap. You’ll get a short burst of energy, but it won’t affect your sleep at night.
- Avoid relying on caffeine. You might feel the urge to drink coffee or energy drinks every time you feel tired, but doing so can further de-rail your sleep progress. Limit caffeine as much as possible, and try to let your natural energy levels take over.
- Maintain a consistent sleep routine. Even if you don’t get the ‘ideal’ amount of sleep each night, keep it consistent. Go to bed and wake up around the same time each day. This will help both your mind and your body.
- Take a technology break. When you feel like your mind is overworked, take a 10-minute break from technology. The goal is to remove stimuli that put even more stress on your brain. Go into a dark room, close your eyes, and just let your brain recharge.
- Talk to an anxiety therapist. Your tiredness will subside as you get more control of your anxiety. Working with an anxiety therapist is the best way to identify the root cause of anxiety and find solutions that fit your lifestyle.
If you’d like to get matched with an anxiety therapist near you, contact Urban Balance at (888) 726-7170. We have multiple locations to serve you, and we offer convenient appointment times.