The Hidden Trio.

what is draining your energy?

In today’s fast paced world “I’m just tired” is commonly used phrase. I personally have had days where the sound of my alarm felt like a pain to my whole existence, but morning after morning I dragged myself out of bed and sulked all the way to work because grinding and hustling is the new glorified norm and painfully tied to a sense of self-worth.

What if fatigue is not only physical but mental too? Let’s look at the three main culprits that got you feeling drained. If by now you haven’t clocked the words stress, anxiety and burnout then you are privileged. I’m talking to the less privileged, who battle silently with things and do not have an outlet or the know how to exist without the constant burden in our minds.

Did you know that stress is your body’s alarm system as a response to pressure like deadlines, bills, expectations and family issues? In small bursts stress is not all that bad. It helps you stay motivated to meet your expectations. Anxiety on the other hand is that feeling that lingers after the stressor is gone. It’s the worrying and overthinking when you are supposed to be relaxing, that leads to the final stage of acute stress when your emotional, physical and mental resources are completely depleted, you stop caring and feeling motivated. That’s commonly referred to as burnout.

If you made it to this point hey there! You might be asking yourself, what are the signs to look out for and how do you bounce back. Here we go..

• Wake up already feeling exhausted.
• Struggle to concentrate or feel emotionally detached.
• Experience constant irritability or mood swings.
• Feel physical symptoms — headaches, muscle tension, or digestive problems.
• Find joyless routines replacing your passions.

knowing that stress, anxiety and burnout are completely distinct but form a continuum that becomes detrimental to your health, lets see how we can manage a mentally healthy life despite the emotional exhaustion of constant demand.

Cognitive Reframing: This helps to challenge perfectionistic or catastrophic thought patterns using cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) techniques.

Mindfulness and Grounding: Practices such as deep breathing, meditation, and sensory grounding help restore parasympathetic balance.

Self-Compassion: Replace self-criticism with empathy. According to Kristin Neff’s research, self-compassion reduces burnout and fosters resilience.

Boundary Setting: Psychological health thrives when individuals can say “no” without guilt and prioritize rest without shame.

Therapeutic Support: Psychotherapy provides a safe space to explore chronic stressors and develop adaptive coping strategies.

Stress, anxiety and burnout aren’t badges of honor, they are signs that your body and mind need care. Healing means reclaiming balance and redefining success in your own terms.

🌿So, breathe. Take that break. You’re not falling behind — you’re finding your way back to yourself. 🌿