Why You're Still Tired: The Missing Puzzle of Rest
“Doctor, I’m doing everything right — eating clean, exercising, sleeping 7–8 hours — but I still feel exhausted.” I’ve heard some version of this complaint in therapy rooms, classrooms, and even among colleagues who appear to “have it all together.” In truth, this exhaustion isn’t due to laziness, weakness, or lack of sleep. It stems from a deeper depletion — one that most of us don’t know how to name. That’s because we have misunderstood rest. We’ve mistaken sleep for rest , and in doing so, we’ve robbed ourselves of the full spectrum of recovery that our body, brain, and spirit actually need. The Problem: Rest Is Not Just Sleep We live in a society that glamorizes productivity and glorifies hustle. In such a culture, rest is often framed as laziness, a reward for hard work, or something optional. Even those of us who try to sleep better, eat healthier, and meditate regularly can still feel inexplicably drained. The key lies in understanding this: Rest is not a one-size-...