You slept. Maybe even a full eight hours. But you wake up feeling like you barely made it through the night. You drag through your day, wondering why you’re still so tired, especially when you’ve technically “rested.”

If this feels familiar, it might not just be stress. For many people living with anxiety or trauma, exhaustion doesn’t go away with more rest. It lingers, no matter how early you go to bed or how many wellness tips you try.

It’s not laziness. It’s your nervous system trying to protect you and burning out in the process. And no amount of coffee or rest can fix it.

Why Trauma Leaves You Feeling Exhausted

Trauma changes the way the brain and body respond to the world. After experiencing something overwhelming or distressing, your nervous system learns to stay on high alert. This state, known as hypervigilance, can last long after the danger is gone.

You may feel calm on the surface. But internally, your system is working overtime. Your muscles stay tense. Your heart races without reason. Even when you’re doing nothing, your system is still working overtime.

This constant state of vigilance burns through your energy, day after day, leaving you emotionally spent, physically wired, and mentally foggy.

What Sleep Looks Like After Trauma

When trauma affects your sleep, it doesn’t always look like nightmares. Sometimes it shows up as:

  • Struggling to fall asleep, even though you’re exhausted
  • Waking up in the middle of the night with a racing mind
  • Feeling “tired but wired”—physically drained, mentally overstimulated
  • Dreading bedtime because rest doesn’t feel safe anymore

Sleep becomes another battleground. And the harder you try to force it, the worse it feels.

 

When Should You Consider Therapy?

Occasional bad nights happen to everyone. But if you’re starting to dread bedtime or waking up more tired than when you went to sleep, it might be time to look deeper.

Here are a few signs that your sleep problems may be anxiety- or trauma-related:

  • You feel “tired but wired” almost every night.
  • Your thoughts get louder and more intrusive as soon as it’s quiet.
  • You experience tension or restlessness in your body, even while lying still.
  • You’ve developed a fear or dread of sleep itself.

You Deserve to Feel Rested Again

Getting deep, restorative sleep isn’t just about getting into bed earlier. It’s about helping your nervous system feel safe again. If anxiety or trauma has taken over your nights, you don’t have to keep toughing it out.

You deserve restful sleep that leaves you feeling restored instead of depleted.

Let’s work together to get you there. Call 303-775-8474 to schedule a consultation.