9 Honest Ways to Cope With Being Tired When You’re Running on Empty
It is SO easy to be be tired if you’re a good mom. Getting up with the nightmares, getting up early with a toddler even though you were up all night with a newborn. Being tired isn’t just about needing sleep—it’s about carrying too much for too long.
And if you’re a mom, chances are your exhaustion is layered: physical, emotional, spiritual, mental… all stacked on top of each other like laundry you haven’t folded yet.
In a world that glorifies hustle culture but as a mom we don’t need to hustle. We shouldn’t add hustling to our to do list when we have lunches to pack, kids to soothe, diapers, activities, etc. We are already hustling to show up for our kids.
This post is all about ways to cope with being tired when you’re running on empty as a mom.
1. Name the Tired (Out Loud or in Prayer)
Sometimes the most healing thing you can do is admit:
“I’m not lazy. I’m tired.”
Say it to God. Say it to yourself. Say it to someone safe.
Naming your exhaustion gives it context—and takes away some of the shame.
It is not shameful to be pushed to your limit. Knowing you are exhausted and are doing your best is important. Humans are made to rest but mother's don’t always get that option.
2. Lower the Bar (On Purpose)
This is permission to:
Serve frozen pizza
Skip the workout
Let the house stay messy
Do “good enough” instead of “Pinterest perfect”
Lowering the bar isn’t giving up—it’s conserving energy so you can keep going. You have years to get back to where you want to be, but if you push yourself too far you will burn out and snap. We want to avoid that. This is a season, don’t let it demolish you. Take a step back and a deep breath.
3. Choose Rest That Actually Restores You
Scrolling doesn’t equal rest.
Ask yourself:
What makes me feel lighter, not just distracted or a quick dopamine hit?
Quiet?
A shower?
Sitting in the car alone?
Reading one Psalm instead of a whole chapter?
Rest doesn’t have to be long to be meaningful. I have a whole post on a dopamine menu for moms that is screen free, I will link it here. This will help recharge you with out the doom scroll.
4. Build Tiny Pockets of Relief
When you’re exhausted, big changes feel impossible—so don’t aim for big.
Try:
5 deep breaths before responding
Sitting down while your kids play
Drinking water before coffee
Stepping outside for fresh air
Tiny relief still counts.
5. Let Something Go (Every Day)
Every day, choose one thing not to care about.
One thing to release.
One thing to say, “Not today.”
You are not meant to carry everything all at once.
6. Ask for Help (Even If It’s Hard)
Exhaustion deepens when we isolate.
Text the friend.
Let the kids watch a show.
Ask your spouse to take over.
Accept help without explaining yourself.
You don’t need a “good enough reason” to need support.
7. Feed Your Body Gently
When you’re tired, your body needs nourishment—not punishment.
Focus on:
Protein
Simple meals
Snacks you can eat with one hand
Grace instead of guilt
Fuel is survival, not vanity.
8. Remember: This Is a Season, Not a Verdict
You won’t always feel this tired.
You won’t always be this stretched.
You won’t always be running on fumes.
Some seasons require endurance—not optimization.
And endurance is holy work.
9. Let God Carry What You Can’t
When you’re too tired to pray long prayers, whisper this one:
“Lord, I need You to hold what I can’t today.”
God meets us in our weariness—not after we fix it.
A Gentle Reminder for the Tired Mom
You are not failing because you’re exhausted.
You’re exhausted because you’ve been faithful.
Faithful in showing up.
Faithful in loving.
Faithful in doing the unseen work.
If today all you do is survive with grace, that is more than enough. 🤍