Why Your Body Craves Rest But Rejects Sleep, Even When You're Tired AF

"When we're in a heightened state of stress, the body keeps producing stress hormones even when we're physically tired. It's like having your foot on the gas and the brakes at the same time. When people are constantly 'on' - managing work, kids, notifications, endless to-dos - their nervous system doesn't get enough downtime. This makes it hard to switch from go mode into rest mode, which is essential for sleep."

"Nope, you're not the only one who wakes up tired, yearns all day to take to bed like a Victorian waif, and then when you finally crawl between the covers, you simply can't fall asleep. Why is it that your body craves rest all day long, but then when you finally get the chance, you can never seem to actually sleep... no matter how tired you feel? It's a super frustrating feeling (which usually only makes it harder to sleep, TBH),"

Chronic overstimulation and an overactive nervous system can produce stress hormones even when the body is physically tired, preventing the transition from active to restful states. Persistent demands from work, family, notifications, and household management overload the nervous system, reducing necessary downtime and disrupting circadian rhythms. Overwhelm can increase irritability and dissociation, and it undermines healthy habits that support sleep. Many parents only get quiet time at night and delay bedtime to secure uninterrupted moments, which further delays sleep onset and perpetuates a cycle of exhaustion without restorative rest.

Read at Scary Mommy