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Why You’re Still Feeling Drained After You Rest
Exploring regulation, support, and the patterns we’ve learned
Mandy Cornelius
March 25, 2026
Hello everyone!
We made it to spring! It’s that time of year where things start to feel a little lighter, and it can be a good opportunity to check in with yourself and reset where you can.
In this newsletter, we explore the importance of rest, the conversation around medication, and insights from Family Systems theory. My hope is that these reflections offer a gentle reminder to slow down, tune in, and support yourself in ways that feel right for you.
It finally felt like spring this past weekend!
Wishing you a lovely rest of March!
All the best,
Mandy
MENTAL HEALTH CHECK-IN
Why You’re Still Feeling Drained After You Rest
Ever feel exhausted, go to rest, and then feel exactly the same afterward?
This is more common than you might think. While there can be many reasons for it, a helpful place to start is recognizing that rest isn’t just physical. If you’re someone who is constantly “on alert” or dealing with ongoing emotional stress, your brain may still be keeping your body in a heightened state, even when you’re trying to relax.
There are many types of rest including mental, physical, emotional, creative, and social. This is why lying on the couch watching a show or scrolling on your phone doesn’t always leave you feeling recharged.
When your nervous system is stuck in high alert, it can be helpful to focus less on “doing nothing” and more on regulating your body and mind.
Does this type of rest actually help you feel recharged?
What are some quick ways to self-regulate? Here are a few strategies to try:
Gentle movement that connects the mind and body, like stretching, walking, or shaking out tension
Breathing strategies such as box breathing, diaphragmatic breathing, or the 4-7-8 breathing method
Getting outside for a few minutes of fresh air or sunlight
Stepping away from screens and giving your brain a break from constant stimulation
Intentional quiet moments, like listening to calming music, journaling, or simply sitting without distractions
Sometimes the type of rest we need isn’t more time on the couch—it’s giving our nervous system the support it needs to actually slow down.
MEDIA
Let’s Talk About Medication
A common conversation I have in therapy is whether or not someone should consider medication. Recently, I’ve noticed more open conversations about this in the media too. On one of my favorite Bravo shows, Summer House, Amanda Batula and Ciara Miller have both shared their experiences with starting antidepressants and how it helped them feel more like themselves. Influencer and podcast host Cameron Rogers also recently opened up about returning to medication during pregnancy after experiencing intense anxiety.
As a therapist, I always appreciate seeing people with platforms talk openly about their mental health and their experiences with medication. Conversations like these can help reduce stigma and remind people that they’re not alone in considering this option.
When clients ask me about medication, I always emphasize that it’s a very personal decision. It’s your body, and you need to feel comfortable with whatever choice you make. That might look like talking with your provider, doing your own research, or taking time to reflect on what feels right for you. If it does feel like a good fit, connecting with a psychiatrist or medical provider who specializes in psychiatric medication is an important next step, as well as finding someone you feel comfortable with.
Sometimes I explain it this way: if we were injured and needed medication for our physical health, most of us wouldn’t question taking it. But when it comes to mental health, stigma can make people hesitate. Mental health struggles are often invisible which can make it even more difficult for people to seek support.
Taking medication for your mental health doesn’t mean you’re weak. Sometimes it simply means your brain needs a little extra support to feel more balanced. I’ve included a few articles and a podcast related to these conversations in the resources section below.
LISTEN
🎙️ Family Systems Theory: The Invisible Force That Runs Your Relationships
In this episode of the Being Well podcast, Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson explore the framework of Family Systems Theory and how patterns, behaviors, and roles shape relationships. Listen here.
Family systems theory broadened the view of psychology to include the whole system. So instead of only asking what’s wrong with a person, you ask what’s happening in the system.
Today’s Affirmation
I am deserving of every good thing.
