You know that feeling when you finally get a moment to relax… but you can’t?
It’s almost like you’ve got a lot of nervous or anxious energy.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—and as Campbell personal fitness trainers, we see this all the time.
A lot of us are stuck in “go mode” all the time—even when we don’t want to be.
And the crazy part? Most of us don’t even realize it’s happening.
So, let’s break it down: why does this happen—and more importantly, how do you actually switch into rest mode (without forcing yourself to “just relax”)?
First off, your body has two main settings:
- "Go Mode" (fight-or-flight): This is your body’s stress response. It’s great when you’re running from a lion. Not so great when it’s triggered by emails, deadlines, and your to-do list.
- Rest Mode (recovery & repair): This is where deep rest happens. It’s how your body heals, digests, balances hormones, and restores energy. And if you’re stuck in “Go Mode”, getting here feels impossible.
That’s why you can feel exhausted, but still restless.
Your brain wants to shut down, but your nervous system is still running in the background like a browser with 50 tabs open.
And if you’ve ever been told to “just relax,” you already know that’s not how it works…
Here's some tips from our Campbell personal fitness trainers on how to switch into “recovery mode" (without fighting it):
- 4-4-8 → Try this: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4, and exhale for 8. The long exhale is the key—it signals to your nervous system that it’s okay to slow down. Do this 3-5 times, and you should feel the difference almost immediately.
- Move → Moving your body—even just a quick stretch, walk, or dance break—helps clear out stuck energy, stress, and tension.
- Set an “off switch” → Ever notice how your brain won’t stop looping on random thoughts before bed? That’s a sign you’re still in go-mode. Try journaling, brain-dumping, or putting your phone away 30-60 minutes before bed to help your mind slow down.
Most people know they’re stressed…
But what they don’t realize is how much it affects their energy, metabolism, digestion, and even their weight.
When your body stays in stress mode 24/7, cortisol (your stress hormone) stays high—making you crave sugar, store more fat, and feel totally drained.
This is why REAL recovery matters. It’s not just about getting through the day—it’s about actually feeling good in your body.
So if you’ve been feeling stuck in “always on” mode, our Campbell personal trainers want you to try one of these today.
Make it an amazing, and rest-filled day,
The Method3 Fitness Team
Method3 Fitness is conveniently located in San Jose. Our team of personal fitness trainers serve clients in Los Gatos, Campbell, Willow Glen and other surrounding Bay Area cities.
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The Method3 Fitness blog is updated weekly by our Campbell personal trainers. All content is designed to improve the way you move, eat, and think so you can achieve your goals and live stronger for today. Check back here each week and LIKE our Fan Page, to stay up to date on the latest tips, strategies and methods to get active, gain energy and get healthy again!