Why Energy-Generating Activities Can Feel Draining at First—And How to Push Through

Why Energy-Generating Activities Can Feel Draining at First—And How to Push Through

Have you ever started a workout, a meditation practice, or a creative project and thought, This is exhausting—why did I think this would help? You’re not alone. The paradox of energy-generating activities is that they often feel like they’re taking energy before they give it back. But if you push through, the reward is an energy uplevel—a shift that leaves you feeling more vibrant and alive than when you started.

The Science Behind the Energy Shift

This phenomenon is largely due to activation energy, a term from physics and chemistry that applies to human behavior as well. Just as a spark is needed to ignite a fire, your brain and body require an initial surge of effort to start an activity. This can feel draining, especially if your body or mind is in a state of inertia.

Neurologically, resistance comes from the brain’s basal ganglia, which favors habitual, energy-efficient patterns. When you introduce something new—like movement, deep breathing, or focused work—your prefrontal cortex must override old patterns and engage in higher-order thinking. This requires more glucose, oxygen, and neural effort, which can feel like depletion at first.

Physiologically, activities like exercise, deep breathing, or even laughter increase mitochondrial function—your cells’ ability to produce ATP (energy). However, in the first few minutes, your body hasn’t fully adapted. Blood flow, oxygen delivery, and neurotransmitter shifts take time before they tip the scales toward more energy rather than less.

This is why the beginning of a workout feels hard, but by the end, you feel energized. The same applies to mental and creative tasks. Writing the first sentence, starting a new business strategy, or sitting down to meditate can feel like a battle. But once you get past the initial resistance, momentum carries you forward.

The Morning Run That Changed Everything

A few years ago, I began coaching a client who wanted to incorporate morning running into her routine. She had heard about the numerous benefits—like increased endorphins, enhanced focus, and a better mood—but each morning, when the alarm rang, her body would protest, urging her to stay in bed.

The initial moments of running were particularly challenging; her legs felt heavy, her breath was uneven, and her mind constantly tried to convince her to stop. As the days turned into weeks, that resistance didn't simply vanish. Instead, it morphed into a persistent companion, whispering doubts during every run.

Each time she laced up her shoes, a familiar tension settled in her chest. Some days, the struggle was almost palpable, as if her body was rebelling against the very act of movement. The first few minutes felt like an uphill battle, with every step echoing the weight of her reluctance. Yet, amidst this resistance, there were fleeting moments of clarity when she pushed through the discomfort.

As she continued to run, she found herself grappling with a complex mix of frustration and determination. She would often question her resolve, wondering if she was truly cut out for this. But with each passing week, she also began to notice subtle changes—shorter recovery times after each run and the gradual lightness in her legs.

This duality of struggle and progress created a strange sense of resilience within her. While the resistance was still there, it became a reminder of her commitment to growth. She learned to embrace the discomfort, transforming it from a barrier into a catalyst for change. Ultimately, the journey became not just about the physical act of running but about overcoming the mental hurdles that accompanied it, forging a deeper connection with her own strength along the way.

We celebrated every breakthrough, first noticing that around the ten-minute mark, her body began to adapt; her breath became steadier, muscles relaxed, and the initial struggle transformed into a sense of lightness. By the time she completed her run, she reported feeling more energized than when she started. A couple months into persisting, we were celebrating the joy of running, and she told me, “It’s addictive, I am finally feeling like I want to run, I need to run.”

In fact, this ALMOST made me want to run too! ....almost.

Regardless, This experience teaches us an important lesson: energy isn’t just something we expend—it’s something we generate. What initially felt exhausting evolved into a powerful source of strength, focus, and clarity. The key is learning to push through the moments when our brains are urging us to give up. What feels draining at first can actually be the thing that replenishes you most—if you push past the initial resistance. We can train our facinating brains to cooperate with us as we go after what we really want!

Yes, but -

How to Know If You Should Push Through or Quit

While many energy-generating activities feel draining initially, not every struggle is a sign to persist. We can push ourselves, pressure is not always a bad thing, but there are times when pushing harder may not be the right thing. Here’s how to know the difference:

Push Through If...

• The resistance is mostly mental (self-doubt, procrastination, or feeling "lazy").
• You feel slightly tired but not depleted or in pain.
• You’ve had past experiences where you felt better after doing the activity. It aligns with your bigger goals (e.g., fitness, creativity, mindfulness).

Quit (or Adjust) If...

• You experience sharp pain or extreme fatigue (especially in physical activities).
• The activity consistently leaves you more depleted than energized over time.
• It no longer aligns with your values, goals, or current season of life.
• Your body is signaling the need for rest, not resistance (e.g., deep exhaustion, burnout symptoms).

If you’re unsure, apply the 10-Minute Rule: Commit to 10 minutes, and if you still feel drained rather than engaged, give yourself permission to stop or modify the activity.

Affirmation to Carry Forward

"I am capable of creating energy, not just consuming it. I listen to my body’s wisdom—pushing through when it fuels me and resting when needed. I embrace the challenge, knowing that what feels hard at first will soon bring me strength, clarity, and vitality."

So the next time an energy-generating activity feels draining at first, remember: the shift is coming. Keep going when it serves you—and have the wisdom to rest when it doesn’t.

Juli Reynolds has been a Registered Nurse for over 30 years, is a Board Certified Transformative Nurse Coach, Aromatherapist, Breath Coach and Rounder of Reimagine Wellness, LLC and co-founder of EORN, intl LLC. She specializes in mindset management, personal growth and finding natural solutions for optimizing well-being.?Need to generate some energy? Download the 10 Minute Self Care Plan here! It doesn’t have to be difficult, just 10 minutes a day on self-care can be a springboard?to more of what you want, less of what you don’t!