Episode 53 - Too Tired to Talk About Sleep Hygiene

This week, the Food Shrinks are just plain tired—and they're talking about it. Not the kind of tired that a nap or a sleep hygiene checklist can fix, but the deeper exhaustion that comes from constantly giving, performing, and being "on." Together, Molly, Clarissa, and Molly explore: • The tug-of-war between push harder and please rest • Why rest can feel unsafe or "lazy" to a dysregulated nervous system • How hormones, overwork, and emotional load contribute to burnout • The link between fatigue, food patterns, and self-worth • Learning to rest without guilt—and without fearing you'll never get back up again • Finding micro-moments of rest and joy that don't derail recovery They share real stories about boundaries, people-pleasing, and those days when your body just says, "It's over, girl." This episode is a gentle permission slip to stop, breathe, and let rest be restorative rather than shame-inducing. ________________________________________ What You'll Hear: 🧠 How nervous system states (sympathetic vs. parasympathetic) affect fatigue 🌧️ The hidden costs of overdoing, overgiving, and emotional labor 💤 Why "doing nothing" can feel threatening—and how to reframe it 🥗 How exhaustion can influence food use, cravings, and control 💛 Micro-rest, intentional recovery, and letting go of guilt ________________________________________ Takeaways: • Rest isn't laziness—it's nervous system repair. • Doing the thing tired can sometimes help you thaw from freeze. • Emotional fatigue needs compassion, not productivity hacks. • Permission to rest is permission to recover. ________________________________________ 🎧 Listen, share, and join the conversation. If this episode resonated, email your questions or topic requests to [email protected] and hit subscribe to support the show and this growing recovery community. The content of our show is educational only. It does not supplement or supersede your healthcare provider's professional relationship and direction. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified mental health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition, substance use disorder, or mental health concern.