When we use “tired” as an adjective, we’re just asking for trouble, especially if you find yourself in a depressed state of mind. This is because “tired” has so many interpretations. When we don’t get specific enough with how we are actually feeling and use the blanket statement, “I’m tired,” we are not only deceiving ourselves, but we are creating more tiredness in our bodies.

You ever notice when you tell yourself “I’m so tired” you may still seem to have enough energy to watch Netflix? Initially you may not be tired, you could just be exhausted by the thoughts you’re having or bored from the tasks you did that day, but you tell yourself that you’re tired anyway because it’s easier to be tired than it is to really narrow in on what you’re feeling and take responsibility for it.

The sucky part comes when you’re technically not physically tired, but you continue to tell yourself “I’m tired” and you do this so many times that you start to believe that you actually are physically tired. That’s why playing the “I’m tired” game is just a progressive thought loop that can take you from your real feeling (like boredom, etc.) all the way to physical tiredness. And then you’ve just shot all your productivity out of the window and you might as well watch Netflix.

When you find yourself saying, “I’m tired,” ask yourself if that’s how you truly feel. This may or may not stop the physical tiredness that usually comes, but why not try to break the thought loop and figure out what’s actually going on. This may give you more energy and show you what your problem really is so you can solve for it and not stay stuck playing the “I’m tired” game.

But I completely understand being stuck on the “I’m tired” merry-go-round, it’s hard to get off but many people do it. I stay very conscious with what I’m thinking so I don’t get sucked back in; sometimes I do but as I stay aware of what is going on for me emotionally and cognitively, I am able to stay away from telling myself “I’m tired.”