Why does everything feel harder than it used to? Why are even simple tasks—returning a text, getting out of bed, finishing a meal—sometimes exhausting? If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, foggy, or just *off*, you’re not alone. And it turns out, there’s a name for what many of us are experiencing: depleted surge capacity.
This concept was explored in a powerful article by science journalist Tara Haelle titled Your ‘Surge Capacity’ Is Depleted — It’s Why You Feel Awful. A colleague shared it with us at Clarity Counseling Seattle, and we found it so validating—and so useful—that we wanted to pass it along here as well.
“Surge capacity” is the mental and physical system we draw upon to survive short-term, high-stress situations. Think of how people respond during a natural disaster—adrenaline kicks in, focus sharpens, and we do what needs to be done. But that system isn’t built for long-term use. The pandemic, ongoing global uncertainty, and prolonged life disruptions have depleted that emergency fuel source, leaving many of us exhausted, numb, or struggling in ways we don’t fully understand.
As therapists, we’ve been seeing this exact phenomenon in session after session. Clients wonder why they’re not “bouncing back” or why their old coping skills aren’t working like they used to. We often talk about how this isn’t a failure—it’s biology. Your nervous system is taxed. You’re not broken. You’re just depleted.
The good news? There are ways to begin restoring your inner reserves. Haelle’s article offers practical, grounded suggestions like embracing uncertainty, building new routines, and most importantly, *grieving what’s been lost*. These are the same themes we explore with clients in our individual therapy and teletherapy sessions.
If you’ve been feeling flat, anxious, or strangely disconnected from yourself, this might be the missing puzzle piece. We encourage you to read the full article here:
Your ‘Surge Capacity’ Is Depleted — It’s Why You Feel Awful.
And if you’re needing support as you navigate this strange season of life, our team at Clarity Counseling Seattle is here. We help individuals, couples, and families find clarity, rebuild emotional reserves, and reconnect to what matters most—even when everything feels uncertain.
Schedule a free consultation to see how therapy might help you get back in touch with your energy, your peace, and your sense of self.