Why we feel tired — even when we think we’re resting
by Sabine Christelli
We often think we’re resting.
We reach for the phone, scroll through images, snack, tidy something, check one more thing. It feels like downtime — a little break. But let’s be honest: this isn’t rest. It’s a clever illusion of rest — a dopamine-driven distraction that momentarily soothes but never truly restores.
Our modern world has trained us to confuse stimulation with replenishment. We’ve become experts at staying “on,” even when we think we’re switching off.
And yet, the science — and our bodies — keep whispering the same truth: what we call “normal” is not sustainable. The nervous system wasn’t designed for constant input, blue light, notifications, or the pressure to be endlessly productive and available.
We moved too far from how we are designed
We are designed for rhythms. For slowness. For connection. For the kind of rest that doesn’t need to be earned.
Once upon a time, we sat around fires. We sang, we cooked, we laughed. We worked with the land and ended our days with gratitude, not screens.
Today, we call those natural moments “self-care,” “forest bathing,” “yoga retreats,” or “mindfulness workshops.”
But these are not luxuries — they’re the foundations of human life.
We don’t need more research to tell us this. We know. Every cell in our body relaxes when we breathe deeply, when we feel sunlight, when we move, when we sing, when we’re with others in real life.
These aren’t optional extras. They are how our biology thrives.
Common sense, forgotten
Somewhere along the way, we started treating stillness as unproductive — and noise as progress.
We labelled basic human needs as indulgent:
- A walk without a podcast
- A meal eaten slowly
- A phone left behind
- A moment to dream
But common sense has never stopped being true just because society moved faster. What’s “normal” today is simply collective burnout with good marketing.
Just because your body can keep pushing, doesn’t mean it’s thriving. Resilience is not the same as wellness.
And the data is sobering:
Before you decide to “just live with it,” consider what sleep specialists call the 10-year timeline of chronic poor sleep:
Years 1–3: Daytime fatigue, irritability, snoring, relationship strain
Years 4–6: Weight gain, high blood pressure, anxiety, depression
Years 7–10: Heart disease risk rises by 30%, stroke risk doubles, diabetes risk triples
As one sleep physician said bluntly:
“Every night of poor sleep is like smoking a “pack of cigarettes”. The damage accumulates silently until it’s too late.”
True rest is not a reward — it’s a responsibility
True rest doesn’t look like collapse on the couch. It looks like presence.
It’s the moment you step outside and feel the air on your face.
It’s your bare feet on the earth, your deep breath in silence, your laughter with friends, your stretch after stillness, your song for no reason.
It’s when the nervous system finally exhales — and in that space, life becomes vibrant again.
So take the time. Breathe. Meditate. Move. Dance. Touch the ground. Create something with your hands. Let yourself feel again.
Don’t wait until your body demands it — choose to honour your design now.
Because this isn’t about self-care trends.
It’s about remembering what it means to be human.
Written by Sabine Christelli — Sleep Scientist, Speaker, and Holistic Wellness Strategist. Learn more at sabinechristelli.com.
Tags: sleep, rest, wellness, nervous system, mindfulness, stress recovery, human potential, sleep science, corporate sleep advantage workshops, luxe resort sleep program design & implementation
