What to Do When You’re Emotionally Drained: Tips for Tired Moms

Lately, I’ve been feeling exhausted. But not the kind of tired you get from a long day on your feet, this is deeper. I’m talking about the kind of tired that hits your bones, your mind, and your spirit all at once.

And the truth is, I haven’t been doing a ton of physical activity. So why do I feel this way?

Because emotional exhaustion is real. And if you’re a mother, there’s a good chance you’re feeling it too.

Can Emotional Burnout Really Make You Tired?

Yes, it can. When we carry heavy emotions like stress, guilt, frustration, unspoken sadness, and the weight of everyone’s needs, our bodies respond as if we’re in a constant state of alert. Over time, that wears us out in ways we can’t always explain.

Symptoms of emotional fatigue often show up as:

• Chronic tiredness, even after a full night’s sleep

• Irritability and mood swings

• Mental fog and forgetfulness

• A constant sense of overwhelm

• Feeling numb or emotionally flat

You’re not lazy. You’re not weak. You’re spent. And it’s time to check in with yourself.

6 Things You Can Do When You’re Emotionally Drained

1. Name What You're Really Feeling

We often say we’re “tired,” but what we’re really feeling is:

• Disconnected

• Underappreciated

• Resentful

• Overstimulated

• Stretched too thin

Saying it out loud or writing it down brings clarity and power.

2. Let It Out

You don’t have to hold it all in. Cry. Journal. Talk to a friend. Unreleased emotions stay trapped in the body and can create even more fatigue. Releasing them helps reset your nervous system.

3. Rest Without Guilt

Yes, you’re allowed to take a nap. Yes, you can cancel plans. Yes, you can sleep in while the kids binge-watch Paw Patrol. Rest isn’t earned by how much you’ve done. It’s your right as a human being. Read that again.

4. Say No More Often

You’re not a machine. You don’t have to do it all. Protect your energy with soft, simple boundaries. I wrote about this in The Lazy Mom’s Guide to Motherhood — and trust me, saying “no” has saved my sanity more than once.

5. Take Yourself on a Reset Date

Go somewhere alone. Somewhere peaceful. Don’t run errands. Don’t multitask. Don’t “make it productive.” Just breathe, walk, cry, reflect, or be.

6. Use Your Days Off

Sick days and vacation days are for you, too. Don’t wait until you're falling apart. Rest is a proactive part of self-care, not just recovery.

Final Thoughts from One Mom to Another

If you’re emotionally exhausted, let this be your permission slip to pause. You don’t have to wait until you’re burnt out to take care of yourself. You don’t have to prove anything to anyone.

You are allowed to slow down. You are allowed to rest. You are allowed to be human.

Want More on This?

Read Chapter 7 of The Lazy Mom’s Guide to Motherhood — it's all about self-care, redefining rest, and releasing the pressure to be “on” all the time.

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