Have you ever wondered why you feel more tired when you concentrate too much on your thoughts, even though your body isn’t physically exhausted?
It often happens that after spending hours thinking, planning, or problem-solving, we feel as if we have run an emotional marathon. But why does this happen?
Our brain consumes more energy when engaged in deep mental and emotional processes, and if this activity lasts too long, our mental health and overall energy begin to decline.
The Brain: An Energy-Consuming Machine
Although we often associate fatigue only with physical activity, in reality, our brain is one of the largest consumers of energy in our body. It uses about 20% of the body’s energy, even when we are at rest.
The moment we engage in tasks that require concentration, long-term memory, or deep analysis, it has to work harder. This increases the consumption of glucose and oxygen, leaving us feeling tired and emotionally drained. Therefore, deep thinking has a real cost to our energy.
Overthinking: The Emotional Energy Drain
When faced with complex challenges or having many decisions to make throughout the day, the mind starts to feel as if it is stuck. “Mental fatigue” occurs when the decision-making process becomes continuous and repetitive.
Overthinking about unpleasant or unclear situations is another major source of fatigue, as the brain constantly tries to analyze and find solutions to stressful situations. This cycle can often leave us drained and with the feeling of being in an endless spiral of exhaustion.
How to Combat Mental Fatigue?
- Frequent short breaks: Since the brain gets tired from excessive thoughts, it needs time to recharge. Short breaks, even just a few minutes, help refresh thoughts and increase productivity.
- Breathing techniques: Deep breathing helps better oxygenate the brain, relieving tension and enhancing mental clarity.
- Focus on a specific task: We often try to multitask, which adds to mental fatigue. Focusing on just one task means reducing scattered attention and increasing brain effectiveness.
Many of us live with the idea that productivity is everything. However, it is essential to understand that mental fatigue is a significant issue that directly affects our quality of life, cites Anabel.
By recognizing that overthinking has a significant cost to our energy and well-being, we can take steps to protect our brains from overload.