Exhausted No Matter How Much You Sleep? Fix These 3 Hidden Energy Leaks

You’re hitting the recommended 7–9 hours of sleep. You’ve tried going to bed earlier, optimizing your nighttime routine, and even throwing some melatonin into the mix. But no matter what you do, you still wake up feeling like you’ve been hit by a truck.

WTF, right?

Here’s the deal: Your exhaustion probably has nothing to do with how much you sleep—and everything to do with how you’re managing your energy outside of sleep.

Because burnout and chronic fatigue aren’t just about rest. They’re about how you work, think, and spend your energy every single day.

If you’re constantly exhausted, it’s time to stop blaming your bedtime and start fixing these three hidden energy leaks:

1. Your Brain Is Overloaded—You Need a "Second Brain"

Ever feel like your brain is running 47 tabs at once? You’re thinking about your to-do list while answering emails, remembering you forgot to pay a bill, and suddenly wondering if you locked the front door.

This low-key chaos is what I call Mental Open Tabs Mode—when your brain is constantly juggling unfinished tasks, random thoughts, and low-key stressors in the background.

And just like your laptop slows down when you’ve got too many browser tabs open, so does your brain.

Fix It: Build a "Second Brain" So Your Mind Can Breathe

• Get your mental clutter OUT of your head. Use a digital Second Brain (aka Notion, a task manager, or even a simple notes system) to store everything—from ideas to to-do lists—so your brain isn’t doing all the heavy lifting.

• Create a simple system to track priorities. Instead of remembering everything, store it somewhere accessible and organized so you can focus on execution—not memory management.

• Automate and streamline your workflow. Stop wasting energy trying to “remember” things—let a Second Brain do it for you.

🔥 Ready to stop running on mental overload? Build your Second Brain inside Notion → coachellyn.com/notion

→ Big takeaway? If your brain is constantly running in the background, it’s no wonder you’re exhausted. Offload the mental chaos into a Second Brain and watch your energy return.

2. You’re Overdosing on Dopamine (and It’s Wrecking Your Energy)

Scrolling TikTok for “just five minutes” turns into an hour-long doomscroll. You check your email, hop over to Instagram, and suddenly—wait, what were you working on again?

Welcome to dopamine addiction, where your brain is stuck in a loop of seeking quick hits of pleasure (scrolling, notifications, snacks, etc.), instead of focusing on deep, meaningful energy renewal.

And guess what? Dopamine spikes drain the hell out of your energy. But what makes it even worse? Sensory overload.

Between screens, notifications, constant noise, and artificial lighting, we rarely give our senses a break. When your brain is bombarded by nonstop sensory input, your nervous system stays in high alert mode—which leads to more stress, fatigue, and exhaustion (even if you’re getting enough sleep).

Fix It: Be Intentional with Your Dopamine Hits & Prioritize Sensory Rest

• Create “dopamine fasting” blocks. Give yourself 60–90-minute focus sessions where you don’t check your phone or notifications.

• Unplug for true sensory rest. Take intentional breaks from screens, loud environments, and constant digital stimulation.

• Spend time in quiet. Go for a walk without music, meditate, or just sit in a dark, peaceful space for a few minutes between work and social time.

• Wear blue light blockers. If you’re working on screens all day, cut down on eye strain and fatigue by filtering out harsh lighting.

• Try a digital detox. Even just a few hours without screens can help your brain reset and recharge.

🔥 Want to learn more about Sensory Rest and how it can restore your energy? Read more here → coachellyn.com/blog/exhausted

→ Big takeaway? You don’t need more coffee—you need fewer distractions, more sensory rest, and better dopamine management.

3. You’re in “Output Mode” 24/7—But Never Recharge

Look, I get it. You love the hustle.

There’s something deeply satisfying about knocking things off your to-do list, being insanely productive, and feeling like you’re operating at full capacity all the time. High-achievers thrive on this. You feel most in control, most powerful, and most accomplished when you’re in output mode—executing, problem-solving, building momentum.

But here’s the problem:

🔹 Always being in output mode means you're constantly withdrawing energy—but never replenishing it.
🔹 That’s not high performance. That’s running on fumes.

When you never input energy—through rest, recovery, or intentional recharge—you’re setting yourself up for diminishing returns. Over time, your brain gets foggy, your creativity tanks, and your motivation starts slipping. You may still be showing up, but you’re not showing up at your best.

Fix It: Sustainable High-Performance Requires Input Mode, Too

If you want to keep achieving at a high level without burning out, you have to treat energy like a bank account—you can’t keep making withdrawals without deposits.

• Schedule “energy input” activities daily. Movement, sunlight, creative hobbies, or even a non-work-related conversation with a friend—these all give you energy instead of draining it.

• Take real breaks. Not “scroll on your phone” breaks, but intentional moments to reset—step outside, stretch, meditate, or just be for a few minutes.

• Work in energy cycles. Aim for 90-minute work sprints followed by a 10–15 minute recharge to prevent burnout.

• Prioritize Sensory Rest. If your world is always loud, fast-paced, and screen-heavy, your nervous system never gets a break. Unplug, sit in silence, or give yourself a sensory reset (here’s how).

🔥 Want a system to help you manage your energy, workflow, and breaks in a way that actually works for YOU? Build your Second Brain inside Notion → coachellyn.com/notion

→ Big takeaway? Hustle isn’t the problem. Unsustainable hustle is. High performance isn’t about going harder—it’s about being strategic with your energy so you can keep showing up at your best.

Final Thought: More Sleep Isn’t the Answer—Better Energy Management Is

If you’re exhausted despite getting enough sleep, it’s time to stop micromanaging your bedtime and start managing your energy leaks throughout the day.

✅ Close your mental open tabs.
✅ Stop burning yourself out with dopamine overload.
✅ Make energy input a priority—not an afterthought.

Because thriving isn’t just about sleep—it’s about mastering your energy, so you wake up ready to crush your goals without running on fumes.

Which of these hidden energy leaks is wrecking you the most? Drop a comment below and let’s fix it.