Not all tiredness feels the same
Most of us have experienced that satisfying feeling at the end of a productive day.
The body feels pleasantly tired. The mind feels settled. A good night’s sleep usually restores energy and motivation.
This type of fatigue is a normal part of being human.
It often follows:
- meaningful work
- exercise
- learning
- creativity
- spending time with people we care about
But not all fatigue feels like this.
Many people today describe a different kind of exhaustion altogether.
One that feels:
- wired yet tired
- mentally overstimulated
- physically tense
- emotionally depleted
- difficult to recover from
This is often less about simple tiredness and more about accumulated stress and nervous system overload.
Different types of fatigue can feel surprisingly… well… different…
Research into stress, recovery and wellbeing increasingly suggests that fatigue is not one single experience.
For example:
Physical fatigue
Physical fatigue often follows healthy exertion.
Examples include:
- exercise
- gardening
- hiking
- yoga
- manual work
People often describe this as:
- satisfying
- earned
- pleasant
- restorative after rest
A good night’s sleep often helps recovery from this type of fatigue considerably. The caveat being that physical fatigue added to nervous system exhaustion can make your fatigue worse – make a mental note of that one and we will explore more below.
Mental fatigue
Mental fatigue is common after prolonged concentration.
Examples include:
- desk work
- studying
- problem solving
- excessive screen time
People often describe:
- difficulty focusing
- forgetfulness
- reduced motivation
- feeling mentally “foggy”
The body may not feel particularly tired, but the brain feels overloaded or ‘fried’.
Emotional fatigue
Emotional fatigue often follows prolonged stress, caregiving, conflict, uncertainty or emotional strain.
People may notice:
- reduced resilience
- irritability
- feeling emotionally flat
- difficulty engaging with activities they usually enjoy
Fatigue from boredom or lack of meaning
An interesting form of fatigue occurs when people spend large amounts of time disconnected from activities that genuinely interest or inspire them.
People sometimes describe:
- feeling drained despite doing very little
- low motivation
- a sense of stagnation
- reduced energy despite adequate rest
- comfort eating
- feeling generally less ‘healthy’
Many people find that meaningful work, creativity, learning, movement and connection can feel energising rather than draining.
To some people mental, emotional, boredom and lack-of-purpose fatigue can feel far more debilitating that physical fatigue.
The body is not designed for constant stimulation
Modern life often involves:
- prolonged screen exposure
- sustained concentration
- ongoing stress
- reduced downtime
- constant notifications
- endless information
Even when sitting still, the nervous system may remain highly active throughout the day.
Over time, this can create a system that struggles to fully settle.
However, the body, mind, emotions and dare I say it, the spirit, feel much more healthy when the body, in moderation, is in continual motion. Not over-exercising or over-doing it, but moderate movement regularly throughout the whole day. I explore this more below…
What is nervous system exhaustion?
While not a formal medical diagnosis, many people use this term to describe a state of accumulated stress and overload.
People commonly report:
- difficulty relaxing
- shallow breathing
- jaw clenching
- headaches
- poor sleep
- muscle tension
- feeling exhausted but unable to switch off
- less coping tolerance
- higher anxiety
- feeling more depressed than usual
One of the clearest patterns we often observe is that physical tension and emotional stress frequently rise together.
As stress increases, people often become:
- tighter
- more sensitive to discomfort
- less able to recover
- more reactive to everyday challenges
- pain levels increase
- motivation can decrease
- overall fatigue increases
The role of allostatic load
One concept increasingly discussed in stress and recovery research is something known as allostatic load.
In simple terms, this refers to the cumulative effect of life’s demands on the body over time.
Work stress.
Poor sleep.
Relationship challenges.
Illness.
Financial pressures.
Overtraining.
Even positive life events.
None of these are necessarily harmful on their own.
The challenge arises when the body carries more load than it has the opportunity to recover from.
Over time, people may notice:
- more tension
- poorer recovery
- increased fatigue
- heightened pain sensitivity
- difficulty switching off
- more regular incidence of illness
This is often less about one specific problem and more about accumulated load across multiple body systems.
The body thrives on movement
One of the simplest and most effective ways to support both physical and mental wellbeing is regular movement throughout the day.
Research consistently shows that physical activity is associated with improvements in mood, stress resilience, sleep quality, cognitive function, and overall wellbeing. Studies have also found that people who are physically active tend to experience lower rates of depression and anxiety than those who are largely sedentary.
Importantly, this does not necessarily mean intense exercise. Studies show that moderate exercise and especially activities that you actually enjoy have a very positive impact not only on immediate health but on our longevity and it reduces the risk of many diseases. Try integrating these simple activities into your daily schedule to see how it feels:
Walking.
Gardening.
Stretching.
Tai Chi.
Yoga.
Taking regular movement breaks.
Even small amounts of movement accumulated throughout the day appear to be beneficial. Some research suggests that meaningful mental health benefits occur even below traditional exercise recommendations.
From an osteopathic perspective, movement helps maintain adaptability throughout the body.
Joints move more freely.
Circulation improves.
Breathing often becomes easier.
The nervous system receives richer sensory input.
Many people also notice something less tangible but equally important: they feel more connected to themselves, more engaged with life, and more capable of meeting everyday challenges.
The body was built to move.
And often, movement is one of the most powerful forms of recovery available to us.
Learning to listen to the body: Interoception
Another useful concept is something called interoception.
Interoception simply refers to our ability to notice and interpret signals coming from within the body.
For example:
- Am I actually tired?
- Am I hungry?
- Am I stressed?
- Am I holding tension in my jaw?
- Have I been breathing shallowly all day?
Many people become highly skilled at ignoring these signals.
Unfortunately, the body often keeps the score.
Developing better awareness of internal signals can help people recognise accumulating stress before it becomes overwhelming.
Sometimes the most valuable question is:
“What is my body trying to tell me right now?”
Why rest does not always feel restorative
When the nervous system remains in a heightened state, the body may struggle to fully shift into recovery mode.
This is why some people:
- sleep but wake feeling tired
- take time off but remain tense
- continue feeling physically “held”
- struggle to relax even when they have free time
The body never fully settles.
A personal observation from clinical practice
People occasionally ask whether providing osteopathic treatment all day leaves me feeling drained.
Interestingly, I experience the opposite.
At the end of a busy day, I often feel physically tired in the same way I might after a great yoga session, Tai Chi practice, or a long walk outdoors.
There is effort involved, certainly.
But it is usually accompanied by a sense of fulfilment, purpose, and connection.
Helping people move more comfortably, feel better in their bodies, and understand themselves more deeply tends to be energising rather than depleting.
That experience has reinforced something I frequently observe in clients:
Meaningful activity often creates a very different kind of fatigue than chronic stress.
One tends to restore us.
The other tends to gradually wear us down.
A more complete approach to recovery
At Ithaca Wellness, treatment draws from:
- manual osteopathy
- therapeutic bodywork
- elements of shiatsu
- breathing and nervous system-focused approaches
Rather than viewing the body as a collection of isolated parts, these approaches often consider how:
- movement
- breathing
- posture
- stress
- recovery
- circulation
- nervous system regulation
may influence one another.
Many people report feeling calmer, more comfortable, and more connected to their bodies after treatment.
While no single therapy is a cure-all, supporting relaxation, body awareness, movement, and recovery may help create conditions that allow the body to function more comfortably over time.
Begin with a consultation
If you feel physically tired, mentally overloaded, or increasingly unable to switch off despite rest, it may be worth exploring the broader pattern involved.
👉 Book a consultation
👉 Or explore osteopathy in Coquitlam
FAQ
Can desk work really cause physical tension in the body?
Yes. Prolonged desk work can contribute to increased tension through the neck, shoulders, jaw, lower back, and hips — particularly when combined with ongoing mental stress and reduced movement throughout the day.
Why do I feel more tense after sitting at a desk all day?
Long periods of sitting and concentration often lead to reduced movement variability, shallow breathing, muscle guarding, and increased nervous system load. Over time, this can create accumulated physical tension and stiffness.
Why does stress seem to affect my body physically?
Stress has a direct effect on the nervous system and muscle tone. As stress levels rise, many people unconsciously tighten through the jaw, neck, shoulders, and upper body. Pain sensitivity and muscle tenderness can also increase during more stressful periods.
I exercise regularly — why do I still feel tight and tense?
Exercise is valuable, but it does not always fully offset prolonged stress, desk work, and nervous system overload. Many active people still experience recurring tension patterns when recovery and regulation are compromised.
Can desk work contribute to headaches and jaw tension?
Yes. Neck strain, jaw clenching, shoulder tension, and nervous system stress are commonly linked with desk-based work and prolonged concentration. These patterns may contribute to headaches, TMJ symptoms, and upper body discomfort.
Why do symptoms often feel worse later in the day?
Throughout the day the body accumulates physical and mental load. As fatigue and stress build, muscles often become tighter and more sensitive, making symptoms such as headaches, stiffness, and tension more noticeable by evening.
Are daytime appointments helpful for stress-related tension?
For many people, yes. Earlier daytime sessions can sometimes help interrupt tension patterns before they become more established later in the day. Many people also find daytime sessions quieter and more restorative overall.
What approach does Ithaca Wellness use?
Treatment at Ithaca Wellness draws from:
- manual osteopathy
- therapeutic bodywork
- elements of shiatsu
The aim is to better understand the broader tension and stress patterns affecting the body — not simply chase symptoms temporarily.
Member of British Columbia Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners (BCAOMP) – Fully insured and licensed.
To book appointments use the booking links below:
Mobile & Online Appointments https://ithaca.noterro.com
@ Dovira Clinic, Coquitlam https://dovira.janeapp.com/
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Providing manual osteopathy and therapeutic bodywork to the communities of Coquitlam, Anmore, Belcarra, Port Moody, Burke Mountain, Westwood Plateau, Tri-Cities, and Greater Vancouver!
Professional osteopathic care – in-clinic appointments and home visits!