😵‍💫 “Tired but Wired”: When Your Brain Won’t Power Down

Ever felt exhausted - eyes heavy, body ready for bed - but the moment your head hits the pillow, your brain starts a TED Talk?

That’s the “tired but wired” phenomenon. And it’s more common than we realise.

This paradox happens when your body is fatigued, but your mind remains hyperactive. It’s often linked to chronic stress, overstimulation, or disrupted cortisol rhythms - the hormone that regulates energy and alertness.

🔹 During the day, stress keeps cortisol elevated.

🔹 By night, your body’s ready to rest…but your mind didn’t get the memo.

🔹 The result? Racing thoughts, anxiety, and poor sleep quality.

What contributes to it?

🧠 Overexposure to screens and notifications

☕ Late caffeine or sugar intake

📈 High-functioning anxiety

📅 No wind-down routine or boundaries between work and rest

Over time, this disconnect impacts focus, mood, and even immune health. The body doesn’t get the deep rest it needs to repair, consolidate memory, or regulate emotions. You might wake up feeling like you barely slept - because in some ways, your brain didn’t.

💡 What helps?

✔ A consistent wind-down ritual - reading, journaling, or light stretching

✔ Dimming lights 1–2 hours before bed

✔ Limiting screen time (yes, even “just 10 mins” of scrolling!)

✔ Gentle mindfulness or breathwork - not to silence thoughts, but to make space for stillness

✔ Creating mental closure for the day - a quick to-do list for tomorrow, or reflection on what went well

Being “tired but wired” isn’t just a sleep problem - it’s a nervous system issue. And addressing it means learning how to unplug on purpose.

🗣️ Ever experienced this feeling? What helps you switch off?