Have you ever reached the end of the day feeling completely worn out, even though you haven’t done much physically?

Many people assume that feeling exhausted means they haven’t slept enough or have been working too hard. While that can certainly be true, anxiety is often an overlooked cause of persistent fatigue.

One of the most common things I hear from clients is, “I’m tired all the time.” They often wonder why they feel so depleted when they haven’t done anything particularly strenuous. The answer lies in what anxiety is asking the body to do.

When you’re anxious, your brain perceives a threat—even if that threat is uncertainty, worry, or anticipation rather than immediate danger. Your nervous system shifts into its “fight-or-flight” response, releasing stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. Your heart rate increases, your muscles tighten, your breathing becomes faster, and your mind becomes hyper-alert.

This response is incredibly helpful during a genuine emergency.

The problem is that anxiety often keeps this alarm system switched on long after it is needed.

Imagine driving your car with your foot pressed firmly on the accelerator all day long. Eventually, the engine begins to wear down. Our bodies respond in much the same way. Remaining in a prolonged state of vigilance requires an enormous amount of physical and mental energy.

Anxiety is also mentally exhausting.

When we’re anxious, our minds rarely get a chance to rest. We replay conversations, imagine worst-case scenarios, search for problems that haven’t happened yet, and try to predict the future. This constant mental activity drains energy, even if we’ve been sitting quietly all day.

Sleep often becomes another casualty of anxiety.

Many people struggle to fall asleep because their minds won’t slow down. Others wake frequently during the night or wake up feeling as though they never truly rested. Even mild disruptions in sleep can leave us feeling exhausted the next day.

The body also carries anxiety physically.

Many people don’t realize they’re holding tension in their neck, shoulders, jaw, or back until those muscles begin to ache. Keeping muscles tightened for hours at a time takes energy and contributes to the feeling of being physically worn out.

After prolonged periods of stress, people sometimes experience what feels like a “crash.” Once the body finally comes out of its heightened state of alertness, exhaustion often follows. Many people describe feeling drained, unmotivated, or unable to think clearly.

This is one reason anxiety can feel so confusing. You may be tired all day, yet still find it difficult to relax.

The encouraging news is that this cycle can be interrupted.

As people learn to calm their nervous system, reduce chronic worry, improve sleep, and respond differently to anxious thoughts, their energy often begins to return. The goal isn’t to eliminate all anxiety—that wouldn’t be realistic—but to help your mind and body spend more time in a state of calm rather than constant vigilance.

If you’ve been feeling exhausted for a long time, it’s also important to remember that anxiety isn’t the only possible cause. Medical conditions such as thyroid problems, anemia, sleep apnea, depression, medication side effects, and other health concerns can also contribute to fatigue. A healthcare professional can help determine what’s causing your symptoms.

The important thing to remember is this:

Feeling exhausted doesn’t necessarily mean you’re weak or lazy. It may simply be a sign that your mind and body have been working overtime trying to protect you.

Women’s Stress and Anxiety Coaching Group

If anxiety has begun to take over your life, you don’t have to face it alone.

Beginning September 17 through October 15, 2026, I’ll be offering a 5-week Women’s Stress and Anxiety Coaching Group conducted live on Zoom.

Together we’ll learn practical, evidence-based strategies to better understand anxiety, interrupt patterns of excessive worry, calm the body’s stress response, and develop healthier ways of coping with life’s challenges. Recordings of each session will also be available for participants who are unable to attend live.

Program Details

  • Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. ET, September 17 – October 15, 2026
  • Five weekly Zoom sessions
  • Recordings available
  • Cost: $495

If you’re interested in learning more or would like to reserve a space, please contact me at:

Carolyn@carolyndaitchphd.com
(248) 626-8151 or (248) 421-7899

I look forward to hearing from you.

Warmly,

Carolyn Daitch, Ph.D.