Why Normal Things Can Leave You Completely Exhausted

What can happen in the nervous system and body when energy is constantly needed elsewhere.

By Carola Schröder

Sometimes something completely normal is enough: a conversation, a quick errand, or a bit of housework, and afterwards the body feels as if it has accomplished something much bigger.

It’s not just tired, but truly exhausted.

Many people know this feeling very well: the body reacts to seemingly normal stresses much more strongly than before. Things that used to be effortless can now cost energy that takes a long time to recover.

This often leads to a question that many people ponder:
Why does the body react so strongly to perfectly normal stress?

At first glance, it seems difficult to explain. After all, it's not extreme physical exertion.

However, if one examines how energy is actually organized in the body, this connection becomes much more understandable.

Energy in the body works differently than many think

Many imagine energy in the body like a tank.

The tank is full, so you have energy. The tank is empty, so you are exhausted.

However, the body doesn't work that simply.

Energy is not simply stored and then consumed in the body. Instead, it is constantly distributed among different systems, depending on which system currently has priority.

The biggest energy consumers are primarily the nervous system, the immune system, and also the muscles.

When these systems work in balance, this distribution usually functions very well.

It becomes problematic when one of these systems is constantly running at full speed.

Because then it repeatedly draws energy to itself - energy that is then missing elsewhere in everyday life.

This is precisely where the connection begins that can explain why normal things can become so exhausting for many people.

A crucial factor in this is the nervous system - and what happens when it remains in alarm mode permanently.

When the nervous system remains in alarm mode permanently

The nervous system plays a crucial role in this context.

It constantly controls how awake and alert the body is, how tense muscles are, and how the body reacts to stress. Normally, the nervous system constantly switches between activity and rest.

In stressful situations, the body switches to an alarm mode. This is initially completely normal.

The body becomes more alert, attention increases, muscles tense more strongly, and stress hormones are released. All of this helps the body react quickly.

It becomes problematic when this state no longer ends properly.

If stress persists for a longer period or the body repeatedly enters this alarm mode, the nervous system can remain at an elevated activity level permanently. The body then, so to speak, constantly works at full speed in the background.

This state consumes energy.

Increased alertness, constant muscle tension, and stress hormones mean additional effort for the body. Energy is then repeatedly put into these processes, even if no major external stress is visible at the moment.

And this is precisely where the problem in everyday life begins.

If a part of the energy constantly flows into alarm and stress reactions, less is left for other things. Activities that seem normal can then feel significantly more strenuous.

The reason for this is that the body is already working with an increased energy consumption in the background.

Why modern stress can be particularly exhausting for the body

To better understand this connection, a brief look at how stress was originally conceived is helpful.

If we go back a few thousand years, to a time when dangers were still very concrete, stress was almost always associated with movement.

Danger, for example, meant: running away, fighting, or defending oneself.

The body reacted to this with a stress response. Stress hormones were released, attention increased, muscles were activated. At the same time, energy was mobilized so that the body could act quickly.

Crucially, however, this energy was also consumed again. Through movement, the body could, so to speak, complete the stress response. After the danger was over, the entire system could calm down again.

Today, stress often looks very different.

Many stresses in everyday life arise from time pressure, mental stress, or constant internal tension. The body still reacts to this with the same biological mechanisms, but often the physical movement that would relieve this stress reaction is missing.

The body releases stress hormones, muscles remain tense, and the nervous system remains alert.

At the same time, one might be sitting at a desk, in a car, or at home on the couch.

The body is therefore internally on alert, without the stress reaction being ended by movement.

In this way, stress can remain in the system longer. Muscle tension remains elevated, energy consumption remains high, and true regeneration becomes more difficult.

This can also be a reason why everyday life feels increasingly strenuous for many people.

How the Nervous System and Immune System Work Together

For a long time, the nervous system and immune system were considered two separate systems. Today, we know that they are very closely linked.

A medical lecture by Dr. Assheuer explained this connection very clearly, highlighting how strongly processes in the nervous system can also influence the immune system.

If the nervous system remains in stress mode permanently, this can also affect immune processes in the body. Certain immune system messengers can then be elevated for a longer period.

In this context, there is often talk of so-called silent inflammation.

This does not refer to an acute illness, but to a subtle activity of the immune system that occurs in the background. The body is, so to speak, in a state of permanent readiness.

This activity can manifest itself in different ways.

People often report increased sensitivity to stimuli. Others notice that they are more easily exhausted or that pain occurs more readily. Concentration and resilience can also suffer.

All these processes also cost energy.

The immune system is a very active system. If it works harder continuously, the body needs resources for this – resources that may then be missing elsewhere in everyday life.

If you want to understand this connection in more detail, you can watch Dr. Assheuer's lecture here:

"Nervous System and Immune System – The Underestimated Connection | Dr. med. Patrick Assheuer"

Why pain also costs energy

In this context, another factor often underestimated plays a role: pain itself also costs energy.

Pain is not just a feeling one perceives. Pain is a signal that must be processed in the nervous system.

The brain evaluates these signals, categorizes them, and focuses attention on them.

This process alone already requires energy.

In addition, pain often triggers further reactions in the body. Many people unconsciously tense their muscles more when something hurts.

The body, so to speak, tries to protect the affected area. This also increases energy consumption.

Furthermore, pain repeatedly activates stress mechanisms in the body.

The nervous system remains more alert, internal tension increases, and the body remains in alarm mode.

When several of these processes occur simultaneously, for example, stress, increased muscle tension, and pain processing, the energy consumption in the background accumulates.

And that's when normal activities can feel significantly more strenuous.

The body is already working in the background with an increased energy demand. There is simply less energy left for everyday life.

What this means for everyday life

When these connections are taken into account, it becomes more understandable why everyday life can feel so strenuous for many people.

Stresses that used to go unnoticed can cost significantly more energy.

Things that used to be taken for granted now feel exhausting more quickly.

Rather, a series of processes that consume energy are already running in the background.

If the nervous system is continuously working in alarm mode, if the immune system is more active, and if pain also needs to be processed, then the body constantly needs resources for this.

This energy is then missing in everyday life.

The body, so to speak, redistributes its energy.

A larger portion flows into processes that occur in the background, while less is left for everyday tasks.

This is precisely why things that used to be taken for granted can now feel significantly more strenuous.

For many affected individuals, this classification is already a great relief. It shows that there are understandable physical processes behind the exhaustion.

Therefore, it helps many people to have these connections explained calmly.

In the following video, I will therefore explain in more detail why normal stresses can cost so much energy and what processes play a role in the nervous system and the body.

What you can do specifically

Once you understand the processes at play in the body, the next question naturally arises: What can you do yourself to relieve the system somewhat?

This usually doesn't involve a single measure, but rather several small starting points that can work together.

A first important point is movement, though not in the sense of training or performance.

Movement can primarily be an outlet for stress.

Our body is designed to relieve stress responses through movement.

Even a few minutes at your own pace can therefore send an initial signal to the nervous system.

This could be a quiet walk, gentle stretching exercises, or simply a few minutes of movement in your own home.

The goal is not to accomplish as much as possible, but to help the body find its way out of alarm mode again.

A second important starting point is the conscious regulation of the nervous system.

Everything that signals safety and calm to the nervous system can help to slowly reduce the permanent state of alarm.

This includes, for example, deep, slow belly breathing, regular breaks, and a certain structure in everyday life.

Repetition is particularly crucial here.

The nervous system rarely changes through a single moment, but rather through many small, repeated signals.

Some people therefore find it helpful not to implement such approaches alone, but within a framework that allows for regular new impulses and exchange.

This is exactly what the Vital Generation PLUS program offers, for example.

It regularly features live calls, expert lectures - including some by Dr. Assheuer - as well as community exchange.

Many of the contents revolve around the nervous system, stress regulation, and everyday life with chronic complaints.

Especially if you don't want to implement such changes alone, a structured framework can be helpful.

If you want to check it out: The program can be canceled monthly and can be tested for free for the first 14 days.

Support through vagal stimulation

If the nervous system remains in alarm mode for an extended period, it can be helpful to deliberately send signals that convey more safety and calm to the body.

The core idea is to strengthen the part of the nervous system responsible for recovery and regulation.

In this context, the vagus nerve plays a particularly important role.

The vagus nerve is a central component of the so-called parasympathetic nervous system.

It helps the body to de-escalate stress reactions, regulate heart rate, and support recovery processes.

There are various ways to activate this part of the nervous system.

These include, for example, breathing exercises, certain relaxation techniques, or regular periods of rest in everyday life.

Another option is vagal stimulation using special devices that can specifically address nerve areas.

I personally use the Vitalnerv stimulator from Vital Generation as a supportive tool in everyday life.

The device is not a miracle cure and, of course, does not replace fundamental lifestyle changes or medical treatment.

For many people, it is an additional way to provide regulating signals to the nervous system.

If you are interested, you can find more information about the device here:

The role of diet and nutrients

In addition to exercise and nervous system regulation, lifestyle factors also play an important role.

Diet is paramount here.

Because the nervous and immune systems not only need energy, but also the right building blocks.

If certain nutrients are consistently lacking or present in insufficient amounts, this can further stress various processes in the body.

A helpful guide can be a diet that consists as much as possible of unprocessed foods and regularly supplies the body with important building blocks.

This includes, for example, sufficient protein, high-quality fats, and a good supply of vitamins and minerals.

Fats in particular play a special role for the nervous system, because nerve cells largely consist of fat structures.

Some nutrients are discussed particularly frequently in this context.

Vitamin D and its role in the body

Vitamin D is one example.

This vitamin not only affects the immune system but also processes in the brain.

Low vitamin D levels are relatively common and can affect various bodily functions.

Therefore, it can be useful to have this value checked regularly and to keep an eye on it.

Magnesium for the nervous system and muscles

Magnesium also plays an important role.

Magnesium is involved in numerous signaling processes in the nervous system and supports, among other things, muscle relaxation and various processes in energy metabolism.

Another important mineral is zinc.

Zinc is involved in many immunological processes and supports the body in various regulatory processes.

Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes

Omega-3 fatty acids are also discussed particularly frequently in this context.

Omega-3 fatty acids are important building blocks for cell membranes and nerve cells.

Research also investigates their role in regulating inflammatory processes in the body.

Inflammatory processes, in turn, are associated with various physical ailments, such as pain or general resilience.

However, it is important to note:

Individual nutrients are not a quick fix.

They can support the body but do not replace fundamental lifestyle changes.

However, when exercise, stress regulation, diet, and nutrient supply are considered together, a significantly more stable foundation for the body often emerges.

And precisely these foundations can also influence how much energy is available in everyday life in the long term.

When normal things cost a lot of energy

If normal things exhaust you greatly, it does not automatically mean that there is something wrong with you or that you are simply less resilient.

The body often works on many processes simultaneously in the background: in the nervous system, in the immune system, and in the processing of stress and pain.

This costs energy, even if it cannot be directly seen from the outside.

For many sufferers, it is therefore important to first understand that this exhaustion is not simply a personal failure, but can be related to physical processes.

At the same time, this knowledge also shows that there are various starting points to support the body.

Exercise, nervous system regulation, diet, and a good supply of important nutrients can collectively help to stabilize the system step by step.

Often, it is precisely the small changes in everyday life that can make a long-term difference.