The Real Reason You’re Exhausted—And It’s Not What You Think

You're tired, but not in the way a good nap or a vacation can fix.

This exhaustion is deeper. It's in your bones, your chest, your breath. It lingers even after you've crossed every item off your to-do list or carved out a few hours of rest.

But here’s something you need to know:
You're not actually exhausted from doing too much.
You're exhausted because your nervous system is stuck in survival mode.

After a decade of guiding high-achieving women through nervous system transformation, I've seen the same pattern over and over: The most successful, capable women are often the most trapped in survival mode.

Here's what I've learned about why this happens, and the exact steps to break free...

The Hidden Exhaustion of "Holding It All Together"

From the outside, it looks like you've got it all handled. You're the one people count on, the one who shows up, the one who "makes it happen."

But on the inside?

Your body feels like it's carrying a weight you can't put down.
Your mind is constantly on, scanning for the next thing that needs to be fixed or managed.
You feel like you can't afford to stop, because what if everything falls apart?

Most people think this is just ambition… but it's actually survival. 

I had a client, a CEO who looked like she had it all together, tell me: "Leandra, I lie awake at 3 AM mentally rehearsing tomorrow's meetings, even though I know I'm prepared. My body won't let me rest." Within 90 days with my Somatic Alchemy method (a blend of somatics & hypnosis for reprogramming your unconscious mind), she was sleeping through the night and leading with more ease than ever.

When you're stuck in survival mode, your nervous system is running the show, sending signals that the only way to stay safe is to keep going. Keep fixing. Keep holding it all together.

But living this way doesn't just drain your physical energy like a hard workout. It depletes you on a deeper level. It keeps your nervous system in high gear even when you’re “resting.” Over time this leads to burnout, disease, and a decline in health. 

Why Rest Alone Doesn't Work

You've probably tried to rest, and maybe even felt frustrated when it didn't help.

Here's why:
Resting your body without addressing your nervous system is like turning down the brightness of your phone screen but leaving all the apps running in the background. You close your eyes but your mind is still operating a mile a minute, even during sleep your mind keeps going.

Your body might be still, but if your nervous system is dysregulated, it's still stuck in overdrive.

That tightness in your chest? That's your body bracing for what's next.
The swirling thoughts that won't quiet down? That's your brain looking for danger that isn't there.
The sense that even rest feels hard? That's your nervous system, convinced it's not safe to slow down.

Rest isn't enough when your body doesn't feel safe to stop.

The Hidden Cost of a Nervous System In Overdrive

When you're stuck in survival mode, you're not just tired, you're:

• Making decisions from fear instead of wisdom
• Attracting clients and opportunities that drain you
• Missing the subtle guidance your body is trying to give you
• Teaching others that your boundaries are optional
• Living at a fraction of your actual capacity
  
  

What's Keeping You Stuck in Overdrive?

Burnout doesn't start with your schedule.

It starts with the programming you received before you were 7 years old, when your brain was in a hypnotic, highly suggestible state.

During those critical early years, your nervous system was learning what it takes to be safe, loved, and to belong. And for most of us, the messages weren't exactly "you're perfect as you are."

Maybe you learned:

• "Good girls don't make waves" (so now you exhaust yourself keeping everyone comfortable)
  
• "Your worth comes from what you achieve" (so stopping feels like becoming worthless)
  
• "If you're not busy, you're lazy" (so rest triggers shame and guilt)
  
• "Don't be selfish" (so your own needs feel dangerous to acknowledge)
  
• "You have to work twice as hard to prove yourself" (so your nervous system never gets the memo that you're enough)

Here's what most people don't realize: These weren't just ideas you picked up. They became hardwired survival strategies in your nervous system.

Your body learned that achievement = safety.
That productivity = love.
That being needed = being valuable.

So when you try to rest or slow down, alarm bells start ringing: "Danger! If we stop doing everything, we'll be abandoned!"

When your body perceives even ordinary tasks as threats to your lovability and belonging, it floods you with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, keeping you in a constant state of high alert.

Over time, this leads to:

• Chronic fatigue, even when you've "done less"
• Emotional numbness, as your system tries to shut down overwhelming feelings
• Physical tension, like tight shoulders, clenched jaw, or shallow breathing
• The inability to receive compliments, support or even wealth (because your system is programmed to earn love, not receive it)

In my work with thousands of high-achievers, I've found this pattern has nothing to do with personality traits and everything to do with outdated nervous system programming that's still running the show decades later.

The good news? What was learned can be unlearned. Your nervous system is incredibly adaptive—it just needs new information about what's actually safe.

Why Traditional "Self-Care" Keeps You Stuck (and what to do instead)

Most wellness advice treats symptoms, not root causes. Face masks and bubble baths can't rewire a nervous system that's convinced rest is dangerous. That's why I developed somatic practices that work at the level where change actually happens: your autonomic nervous system.

3 Somatic Practices to Release Stress and Restore Energy

The key to true rest isn't in doing less, it's in teaching your body how to feel safe letting go.

Here are three simple ways to start regulating your nervous system today:

 1. Grounding Through Sensory Awareness

 What it does: Brings your attention out of your racing mind and into the present moment.

Name 5 things you can see.
Touch 4 things and notice their texture.
Identify 3 sounds you can hear.

Why it works: By tuning into your senses, you gently remind your body that you're here, now, and safe.

 2. The 5-5-7 Breath

 What it does: Signals to your nervous system that it's safe to relax.

Inhale for 5 counts.
Hold for 5 counts.
Exhale for 7 counts.

Why it works: The extended exhale activates your parasympathetic nervous system, the part of your body responsible for rest and recovery.

 3. Release Tension with Progressive Relaxation

 What it does: Helps your body let go of physical tension stored in your muscles.

Lie down or sit comfortably.
Tense one part of your body (like your hands or feet) for 5 seconds, then release.
Move through your body, focusing on each muscle group.

Why it works: This practice sends a clear signal to your nervous system: It's okay to release.

The Life You Get Back After Resetting Your Nervous System

My clients describe it as "coming home to themselves." After 90 days of intentional somatic work they:

• Make decisions from clarity and groundedness instead of fear
• Build their wealth without the constant fear of losing it all
• Set boundaries that feel natural and create space for true rest
• Attract opportunities that align with their bigger mission
• Rest without guilt and work without burnout
• Attract clients who pay them well instead of those who drain their energy

The path to true rest isn't about doing less, it's about feeling safe.

When you address your nervous system, rest stops feeling like a chore.
When your body feels safe, you can stop bracing and start breathing easier.
When your nervous system is free, you're free.

Imagine waking up feeling rested, not drained. Moving through your day without the constant hum of tension. Resting without guilt, without fear, and without the need to prove your worth.

This is what's possible when you reset your system.

Ready to Break Free From Survival Mode?

You're not just tired. You're trapped in a survival loop your body hasn't learned how to get out of.

The Somatic Alchemy 90-Day Reset is for the woman who's done everything right—and is still running on fumes.

This is deep nervous system recalibration designed to break the cycles of burnout, over-responsibility, and emotional depletion at the root.

Together, we'll:
🜃 Release the survival patterns keeping your body in overdrive
🜃 Rewire your nervous system to make rest, receiving, and leadership feel safe
🜃 Restore your access to ease, clarity, and energy—without checking out of your life

You'll walk away not just feeling better, but operating from a whole new foundation of nervous system capacity.

I only work with a few clients at a time to ensure the depth of transformation this work requires.
New 1-on-1 spaces open up in August 2025.

This isn't for everyone. It's for the woman who's ready to stop making excuses for her exhaustion and start healing it at the source.

👉 Apply for 1:1 Somatic Alchemy

Rewire your nervous system to feel safe holding more power, visibility, and wealth in 90 days.

Because the version of you who holds more power, rest, and peace isn't found through doing more, she's revealed when your body finally feels safe enough to stop.

P.S. If you recognize yourself in this post but think "I don't have time for nervous system work," that's exactly why you need it. The women who transform fastest are those who realize their current approach is costing them more than change ever could.

Share this post with someone who needs to hear it—or save it for the days when rest feels impossible. Your freedom is closer than you think.

About Leandra Rose

Leandra Rose is a Master Guide for spiritual visionaries & entrepreneurs, blending over a decade of expertise in somatic healing, nervous system mastery, and purpose-driven mentorship. Her signature approach has helped thousands break free from limiting patterns, heal deep emotional imprints, and align their lives with their soul’s mission.

Through Leandra’s programs, leaders unlock authentic self-expression, embody their spiritual gifts, and cultivate sovereign success that is both purposeful and abundant. With her unique ability to merge intuition and strategy, Leandra empowers you to step boldly into your divine calling and manifest the impactful, prosperous life you’re here to create.

Work with Leandra 1-on-1 

Client Testimonials  

“I’ve done all the health things: red light therapy, supplements, healing modalities but this energetic shift I just experienced was more powerful than all of that combined. Now I feel like the sky’s the limit. I have the power to stay calm, clear, and embodied, even when things feel chaotic. I know I’ll carry this forward, not just for myself, but for my family. You gave me a tool I’ve been searching for my whole life and I can access it in a split second. That’s life-changing.”

 - Kerry Anne, Mother & Entrepreneur

“If you have been through traditional therapies and have an understanding of cause and reaction but still find yourself in that hazy fog of why can’t I make that shift to embrace more of what you know is possible, you may be stuck in fight and flight as I was.  

Consider Leandra’s warm, caring, and gentle walk through Somatic Therapy that taps into the subconscious allowing it to effectively soothe the nervous system by offering an alternative safe, reaction to life’s daily obstacles both small and large that bog one down and allowing you to reach out and welcome your greater self. 

Leandra helped me find and own my graceful strength that offers the power and strength to move forward and embrace life more fully.”

- S.H., Artist & teacher

“Working with Leandra, I have been able to dramatically reduce my anxiety and fears, identify what I desire in life, and take steps towards honoring my true self. Leandra balances compassion, intuition, and action in a supportive environment that allows for rapid emotional and spiritual growth. I would highly recommend anyone dealing with unresolved issues, or feeling like there is “more” to life, to have Leandra guide you to what is possible."

 - Sarah, Human Resources Manager, Scottsdale, Arizona