Ever feel completely drained, even on a day when you didn’t do that much? Hi, I’m Dr. Tom McDonagh, a psychologist at Good Therapy SF. A lot of people feel worn out even when their calendar looks manageable, so that kind of exhaustion usually has less to do with physical activity and more to do with mental and emotional strain.
So why does this happen?
Mental load is constant even when it’s invisible. So you might not physically be busy, but your brain is still planning, anticipating problems and tracking responsibilities. That background processing consumes some real energy.
Also, low grade stress keeps your system activated even mild ongoing pressure keeps your nervous system slightly alert. Over time, that steady tension wears you down.
Also emotional regulation is work. Staying patient, managing reactions, navigating relationships and holding things together takes effort. So that emotional effort adds up even if no one sees it.
So what can you do about it? Try to identify the hidden stressors. Instead of asking,
“why am I so lazy?”
Ask, “what is quietly demanding energy from me?” Awareness often reveals the mental load that you didn’t notice.
Try to reduce the cognitive clutter. Write things down, close open loops and clarify decisions when your brain doesn’t have to hold onto everything at once. Fatigue often decreases.
Try to regulate before you push harder. If your system is already taxed, adding more productivity won’t help. Small pauses that calm your nervous system are often more restorative than forcing yourself to do more.
So if you’re feeling persistently drained but can’t quite explain why therapy can help you uncover the hidden pressures that might be contributing to your fatigue and help you build more calm and peace.
So if you’re feeling persistently drained and can’t quite explain why, therapy might be able to help. Reach out to us here at Good Therapy SF for more.
