Why can’t I relax even when nothing is wrong?

The room is quiet. The task list is manageable. And still your shoulders stay tight, your thoughts keep moving, or you feel vaguely guilty for resting.

For many people, constant readiness once served a purpose: staying ahead of problems, anticipating other people’s needs, or surviving unpredictable environments. That setting can stay switched on even when circumstances change.

Relaxation may also bring up everything you have been postponing: grief, anger, loneliness, or simply the exhaustion you have not had room to feel.