Ways to REST when Exhaustion is at a Soul Level

Ways to REST when Exhaustion is at a Soul Level.

Go on a mindful nature walk

Light a candle and watch it flicker

Spend time in prayer or meditation

Do one thing slowly, and with intention

Get a 30-second hug from a safe person

Let your heart soften and have a good cry

Remind yourself, “I don’t have to earn my rest.”

Do less and take one thing off your plate today

Say no to something that just feels like too much

Allow yourself moments of solitude—not isolation

Allow yourself to cancel something you said yes to

Let a safe person see your vulnerability and struggle

Let yourself scroll awhile if it’s restful and not numbing

Do one thing for joy—not achievement or productivity

Lower the bar today—Let “good enough” be good enough

Unfollow anyone that makes you feel like you aren’t enough

Slow down—physically, mentally, relationally, and spiritually

There’s a kind of exhaustion that sleep just doesn’t fix.

The kind that comes from living in a chronic state of nervous system dysregulation and having an anxious brain that never shuts off.

From holding it all together when you’re unraveling inside.

It’s not just physical—it’s emotional, mental, and spiritual too.

And it asks for a different kind of rest. Not just naps and early bedtimes, but boundaries, softness, slowness, and being held—even if only by yourself.

Here are some ways to get the rest your soul needs when your fatigue goes beyond the need for sleep.

Which is your favorite? Let’s talk about it in the comments!

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QUICK DISTRACTION TECHNIQUES IF YOU’RE STUCK IN FIGHT OR FLIGHT

QUICK DISTRACTION TECHNIQUES IF YOU’RE STUCK IN FIGHT OR FLIGHT.

Say the alphabet backward.

2. Name all the ice cream flavors that you can think of.

3. Name as many cities around the world as you can.

4. Start with ‘A’ and name a fruit that begins with each letter of the alphabet.

5. Name all the candy brand names that come to mind.

6. Play the “guess their occupation” game. Look at people around you and try to guess their jobs or occupations, or where they are going.

7. Think of how many of these you can name: movies, cities, songs, sodas, breakfast foods, furniture, etc.

Distraction gets a bad rep-but it can actually be a powerful healing tool when you’re stuck in fight-or-flight.

When your nervous system is in overdrive-during a panic attack or when you’re outside your window of tolerance-simple distraction techniques (like naming colors around you, moving your body, or holding ice) can help bring you back into the present and begin to activate your parasympathetic nervous system (aka your calm response).
QUICK DISTRACTION TECHNIQUES IF YOU’RE STUCK IN FIGHT OR FLIGHT.

But here’s the key: distraction is a tool, not a solution.

It’s not meant to control or avoid your emotions long-term. And if used too often, it can become a safety behavior that reinforces fear rather than helps you process it.

The goal is never to rely on just one thing to calm you down-but to build a well-rounded healing toolkit that includes regulation, reflection, and support.

Comment “heal my anxiety” and I’ll send you the link to a full list of distraction techniques that can help when you’re in a spiral.

Save this post to come back to when you feel overwhelmed-and remember: healing happens in tiny, intentional steps.

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