I know many of us have commented that we are so physically exhausted after an intense session. Can anyone explain why, biologically, this happens?

I had a helluva session last night, and as soon as I woke up this morning, I thought how I couldn't wait to go to bed tonight. I'm having a horrible time concentrating at work, and I feel like I could just put my head down on my desk right now.

[sittingatwatersedge]

let's face it, mental work is truly exertion, and in fact can be harder than any physical work. Not only are you mentally going through the wringer in session, but your body knows the tension and stress, too. And after you leave, even (or maybe especially) while you are sleeping, your brain is processing away, it doesn't sleep really. It's no wonder you are tired.

Hmmm
After finishing this paragraph I had to go back and change what I actually typed, which was, "not only are you mentally going through the writer in session"... now what's that all about....

[Rapunzel]

Mental energy and physical energy aren't actually separate, like much of Western society likes to believe.

Any kind of energy work (EMDR, EFT, Tapas Accupressure, ...) comes with a warning that one should expect to feel tired and need sleep afterwards. Energy moving work takes water too. The same would apply to intense therapy sessions. You need rest and water to replenish the energy that is redistributed and/or used.

[SpottedOwl]

Our mind and our bodies *are* tied together.

One basic example of this, is when we get nervous our muscles might tense, and we might start to sweat a little more. When we get sad we might cry. Every emotion there is has a corresponding physical representation in our bodies.

You can even see this in the idea of the 'placebo effect'. Just by believing something will help us, it CAN physically reduce symptoms.

Rapunzel gives really good advice...drink more water, and/or take a bath. The water helps to flush toxins. When we are emotionally activated, our bodies produce more hormones. Like getting an adrenaline surge after a scary encounter...that adrenaline now needs to be flushed out.

I've also found physical exercise, stretching, and laughter to be very helpful in helping the body release tension/toxins after an emotional session.

[BlueMoon6]

Dream- I agree with this. That we tend to believe our mental lives and physical lives are more separate then they are. I also feel physically exhausted after a heavy session. I naturally will rest and take it easy for the remainder of the day. I hope you can, too Nothing too heavy, just work and, if you can, chat with friends. Does that sound do-able?

I also think it just exhausts the braincells! I feel lazy today, too. My daughter is home sick and so I have to stay home, anyway. So, Im glad for the opportunity to lay around with her (and my little one, too).

SAWE- cute typo Hmmmm.....

[zooropa]

Originally Posted by Rapunzel

Mental energy and physical energy aren't actually separate, like much of Western society likes to believe.

Any kind of energy work (EMDR, EFT, Tapas Accupressure, ...) comes with a warning that one should expect to feel tired and need sleep afterwards. Energy moving work takes water too. The same would apply to intense therapy sessions. You need rest and water to replenish the energy that is redistributed and/or used.

I'm going to remember that & really pay attention to drinking extra water after my sessions, especially the intense ones.

I know I was so tired last night (had intense session yesterday afternoon) that I slept like a ROCK & that very rarely happens for me b/c of the nightmares from PTSD. I was just completely exhausted, even though I had not done much physically, didn't even take the dog on a decent walk yesterday.

today I'm going to be extra gentle with myself

Originally Posted by SpottedOwl

Rapunzel gives really good advice...drink more water, and/or take a bath. The water helps to flush toxins. When we are emotionally activated, our bodies produce more hormones. Like getting an adrenaline surge after a scary encounter...that adrenaline now needs to be flushed out.

I've also found physical exercise, stretching, and laughter to be very helpful in helping the body release tension/toxins after an emotional session.

Thank you - I may take a bath. When I had a Reiki session, I was told afterwards to take a bath with salts. I have some bath salts, maybe I will do that. And I should try some stretching, too.

That's the bad thing about feeling so darn tired, I can't imagine doing exercise right now, though I did just walk my dog for a bit in the park - does that count?

Originally Posted by BlueMoon6

Nothing too heavy, just work and, if you can, chat with friends. Does that sound do-able?

I actually left work early, I couldn't concentrate at all and felt my eyes welling up with tears. I don't feel up to chatting with anyone, I just want to crawl in bed and close my eyes. But I'll try the bath and maybe read a bit.

[Rapunzel]

Yes, walking your dog counts as exercise! You got outside and did something. That's better than I did today. I just took a hot bath with salts though, and that was nice.

[BlueMoon6]

Originally Posted by dreamseeker9

I actually left work early, I couldn't concentrate at all and felt my eyes welling up with tears. I don't feel up to chatting with anyone, I just want to crawl in bed and close my eyes. But I'll try the bath and maybe read a bit.

((((Dream))) A big hug to you Its so difficult when it has this effect on your day. Maybe just crawling into bed after a nice soothing bath isnt a bad idea.

Well, I crawled into bed early in the evening, and my doggie came up and cuddled with me while I cried. And then I made myself get up and eat some dinner, then take a bath. And now I'm feeling better and am ready to crawl back into bed.

Thanks, everyone! Sweet dreams to all!

[Dinah]

I get sleepy after sessions. After most sessions. But after very emotional settings I sometimes have to take a short nap in the car before driving. I figure it's my brain's way of resetting to normal every day mode. If I manage not to sleep immediately, I often end up napping later anyway and often get a headache to boot.

When I wake up from those naps, I'm generally a lot closer to my normal work or home state of mind. I call them forgetting sleeps. Though that doesn't always actually mean forgetting.