Why Do We Feel More Tired After Resting?

aucklandmeditation
Oct 19
2 min read

You’ve been running without a break — maybe it’s time to truly rest.

How do you usually relax?

Perhaps you take a short weekend trip, or spend the day watching Netflix or YouTube. But after all that, do you really feel refreshed? Many people find themselves still tired, unfocused, or even emptier than before. It feels like you’ve rested, yet somehow you haven’t.

Real rest means recharging your energy and renewing your motivation for life. But in today’s world, even our rest time is filled with stimulation — bright screens, endless scrolling, and constant notifications. Our bodies may be still, but our brains never stop. To rest well, your brain must rest too.

Here are four ways to let your brain truly rest.

Step Away from Stimulation

Are you lying in bed with your phone?

Notifications, videos, and social media constantly stimulate your brain, keeping it active and tired. Watching one short video after another might feel relaxing in the moment, but it drains your energy. Videos combine sound, movement, and emotional triggers that make your brain react again and again. The more you react, the more exhausted your brain becomes.

Try putting your phone away for a while. That simple act already gives your brain space to rest.

Change Your Environment and Posture

If you take a break at your desk but stay in the same position, your brain still thinks it’s working. Rest begins when you physically move away from your workspace. Change your posture, find a comfortable spot, and allow your body to feel relaxed.

You don’t have to go far — even a small shift tells your brain, “I’m resting now.”

Do Something You Genuinely Enjoy

When you focus on something you love, time flows easily and your energy returns.

This is different from passively watching random videos. When you choose what to engage in and enjoy it with focus, unnecessary thoughts fade, and your brain can actually rest. Don’t do something just because it seems “productive.”

Do what truly makes you happy — that’s the most effective kind of rest.

Clear Your Mind Through Meditation

Meditation is one of the most powerful ways to let your brain rest. Our minds are constantly filled with thoughts, worries, and comparisons. These thoughts drain our mental energy, keeping the brain restless. Meditation helps you gently let go of unnecessary thoughts, creating space for calm and clarity. With fewer distractions, you can focus better, finish tasks faster, and feel mentally lighter. Meditation also improves emotional balance, helping you respond calmly instead of reacting impulsively. When your heart is peaceful and content, you no longer feel the need to chase after more — and that, too, is rest.