The Cycle of Fatigue and Anxiety

When you are chronically anxious, one of the effects you might often deal with is feeling exhausted. Depending on the situation, if I have experienced a very stressful situation, I tend to feel exhausted when my body starts to wind down from the physical effects of stress. And so, I might find myself quite fatigued from anxiety, but at the same time, I might have a hard time sleeping as well, also because of anxiety. So it becomes a cycle of inadequate sleep and anxiety that seems to be never-ending. Then, if I haven't gotten a good night's rest for a long time, what I find is that I deal with the effects of fatigue. This includes having a hard time concentrating and having a hard time focusing. I also find that it affects my memory, and it affects my mood as well. Ultimately, fatigue can affect me in several ways.

Feeling Exhausted from Anxiety

From my experience, anxiety can make you feel exhausted for many reasons. For example, I know that when I am anxious, I deal with quite a bit of muscle tension. My muscles are tight, especially around my neck and shoulder area, and this may even contribute to headaches.

Also, I have found that other physical symptoms of anxiety can contribute to feelings of exhaustion. For example, a racing heart rate and shortness of breath are physical symptoms that are a part of our body being prepared to fight, flight, or freeze when we are anxious. When our bodies are on high alert like this, it can be difficult to relax. I have found this to be particularly problematic when I am trying to fall asleep.

Another reason is simply having a constant racing mind. In my experience, when you are often anxious, your brain is constantly working, thinking, overthinking about everything, worrying about everything, or dwelling on memories of the past. This is something I have struggled with. You may find that your brain just doesn't stay quiet, and this chaotic mind is not conducive to being relaxed. As a result, you might find that you feel just so tired from all of this anxious activity.

How to Help Yourself When You Are Exhausted from Anxiety

So, I have found that the key is in calming my system. I must find ways to calm my anxious mind and find ways to relax. Here are some ways to help yourself when you are exhausted from anxiety:

1. Use strategies to get enough sleep. Getting enough sleep, in my experience, can not only prevent fatigue, but it can help your physical symptoms of anxiety as well. It can also improve your mood and help you to be more resilient to stressful situations throughout the day. This can be hard when you go through this cycle of not getting enough sleep that affects your anxiety and vice versa. Establishing a bedtime routine, turning off electronics, and using mindfulness are all strategies that can be helpful for sleep.
2. Take care of yourself physically. I have found that getting regular exercise not only helps relieve anxiety but helps improve your mood. It also helps my muscle tension and improves my sleep. Eating well, I have found, can also help your mood so that you feel more consistent energy levels that contribute to a more stable mood. I have found that being mindful of my food choices is beneficial for my mood, which then helps to decrease my anxiety.
3. Talk to someone you trust. From my experience, I have also found that expressing your emotions and your anxious thoughts to a close friend, a professional, or even your journal, can be beneficial as well. Not only can this help you process your emotions and problem-solve, but this can also help to relax you as you express your anxious thoughts. This is an important strategy that I use that has been so important for me.

Try these strategies to help you experience less exhaustion related to your anxiety. Are there strategies you use to combat exhaustion? If so, share them in the comments below.