Tired, unfocused, irritable? Here’s why. (And Hardly Anyone Talks About)

There’s a strange pattern that people seem to slip into. They feel tired all the time,
their mood dips for no clear reason and it becomes hard to concentrate even though they’re trying.
People who feel like their “stress threshold” has quietly shrunk over the last year.

And weirdly, almost every time we dig into it, the cause isn’t stress itself.

It’s the way their brain is processing the stress.

More accurately: the way their brain isn’t.

This week we focus on a habit your brain depends on but modern life quietly steals from you. When you lose it, everything starts requiring more effort. Your mood becomes more fragile. Your nervous system gets louder. And the smallest things hit harder than they should.

But once you rebuild it?
It’s like your brain finally exhales and your whole life gets easier.

Let’s get into it.

The Missing Input: Why Your Brain Feels “Noisy”

You’ve probably felt this at least once:

You wake up already feeling behind.
Your thoughts feel scattered.
Everything from emails to conversations takes more mental energy than it should.
Even small decisions feel heavier.

It’s easy to label this “stress” or “burnout,” but there’s something else going on beneath the surface:

Your brain has slipped into sensory deficit.

Sounds dramatic, but it’s incredibly common.

Your nervous system needs certain types of sensory input - pressure, weight, rhythm, breath, movement to stay regulated. When it doesn’t get enough, your brain becomes like a tired parent with three kids screaming in the backseat.

It does its best, but everything feels louder and more overwhelming.

That’s why something tiny like a comment, a setback, an unexpected task suddenly feels like a lot.

Your Brain Needs “Heavy Work” Even If You Don’t

There’s a type of input your nervous system craves more than anything else:

Proprioceptive input.

That’s a fancy way of saying: your brain needs to feel where you are in space.

We usually get this through things like lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, squeezing, or grounding kinds of movement. But modern life is soft. Cushy. Convenient.

You wake up in a soft bed.
Slip into soft clothing.
Sit on soft chairs.
Walk on soft carpet.
Work at a soft-lit screen.
Eat soft food.
Drive soft-steering cars.

Everything about the modern world reduces physical feedback.

And the less physical feedback your body gets, the more your brain has to work to stay oriented, alert, and emotionally balanced.

This is why people can feel exhausted even though they haven’t “done” much.

Their brain has been doing all the heavy lifting inside.

The Quiet Habit That Recalibrates You

Here’s the fascinating part.

Your brain doesn’t need more intensity.
It just needs more clarity.

And one of the simplest ways to give it that clarity is through what occupational therapists call heavy work.

But don’t picture a gym or a workout. This isn’t about reps, calorie burn, or “fitness.”

This is about your nervous system.

Heavy work can be tiny. Gentle. Almost invisible. It can blend into your day so naturally you forget you’re doing it.

Yet the effect is massive.

It calms the fight-or-flight response.
Improves focus.
Boosts mood.
Reduces cravings.
Lowers background anxiety.

Most importantly: it raises your stress tolerance.

Which is why you may suddenly notice:

You don’t snap as easily.
You don’t get overwhelmed as quickly.
You don’t spiral when things go wrong.
Your emotions feel more containable.

This is the kind of regulation people think comes from meditation, or journaling, or supplements when really, those things only work well after your nervous system has enough sensory nourishment.

Heavy work is the foundation.

How to Add It Back Into Your Day (Without Feeling Like a Project)

You don’t need a gym.
You don’t need equipment.
And you don’t need extra time you don’t have.

What your brain responds to is:

pressure resistance
grounding
rhythm
slow strength

The easiest way to incorporate this?

Treat it like seasoning, not a main dish.

Add little bits throughout your day. Here are a few ideas that fit seamlessly into normal life:

Carry your groceries with two hands instead of one.
Use a backpack with a little weight in it instead of a handbag.
Walk slower but with more intention, pressing through the ground.
Do one slow wall push-up while waiting for your coffee.
Exhale longer than you inhale when you feel overwhelmed.
Press your feet into the floor during meetings.
Use your hands when talking to someone. Gesture, move, express.
Fold laundry with firm, intentional pressure.

These sound small, but your nervous system doesn’t need “big.” It needs consistent.

Think of it like watering a plant: a little, often, works far better than a big dump once a month.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

Our world is full of inputs - notifications, lights, screens, multitasking, conversations, ads, noise, expectations, tiny decisions. But almost none of those inputs are the ones your body evolved with.

Your nervous system was designed for a life with:

More pressure
More friction
More grounding
More rhythm
More physical contact
More nature
More slowness
More weight

When you give it those inputs again, even in small doses, your whole internal world recalibrates.

And suddenly:

You feel clearer.
You feel steadier.
Your emotions feel like something you can work with, not something that ambushes you.
Your body stops yelling.
Your mind stops racing.
And you finally feel like you have capacity again.

The beautiful part is: there’s nothing “to fix.” You’re not failing. You’re not behind.

Your nervous system just needs the ingredients it was built for.

And you can give them to yourself today.

One small dose at a time.

Until then: stay grounded, stay curious, and stay kind to your nervous system.

You’re doing better than you think.

The information provided in this newsletter is for general guidance and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your health and wellness routine.

Wishing you good health,

The Wellness Valet Team

Recipe of the Week: Grounding Golden Lentil and Root Vegetable Stew

Ingredients:

• 1 cup red lentils, rinsed
  1 tbsp olive oil or ghee
  1 brown onion, diced
  2 garlic cloves, minced
  1 tsp grated fresh ginger
  2 medium carrots, chopped
  1 small sweet potato, diced
  1 parsnip or turnip, chopped (optional but very grounding)
  1 tsp turmeric
  1 tsp cumin
  ½ tsp smoked paprika
  5 cups vegetable broth
  1 cup coconut milk
  Salt and pepper to taste
  Juice of ½ lemon
  Fresh coriander or parsley to finish

Method

• Warm the base:
  Heat oil or ghee in a pot. Add onion and cook until translucent. Add garlic and ginger and sauté for another minute.

• Add vegetables + spices:
  Stir in carrots, sweet potato, and parsnip. Add turmeric, cumin, and smoked paprika. Coat everything well.

• Add lentils + broth:
  Pour in the lentils and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer for 20–25 minutes until soft and thick.

• Stir in coconut milk:
  Once vegetables are tender, gently stir in coconut milk. Add salt and pepper.

• Brighten:
  Finish with a squeeze of lemon to lift the flavours.

• Serve:
  Top with coriander or parsley. Eat slowly. Let the warmth settle you.

This warming stew supplies slow-release carbs, gut-friendly fibre, and anti-inflammatory spices to steady blood sugar and calm the nervous system.
Comforting, mineral-rich root veg and lentils help replenish reserves and support restful recovery after a busy day.