Why You’re So Tired (Even When You’re Not Doing That Much)
Ever had a day where you barely left your chair—but still felt completely wiped out by 4pm?
That kind of exhaustion can feel confusing. You didn’t run a marathon. You didn’t stay up all night. You just… existed. So why are you so tired?
The answer lies in the brain, not the body.
Cognitive fatigue happens when your brain is working hard behind the scenes—processing decisions, regulating emotions, and managing low-level stress.
Even small tasks, like replying to emails or scrolling social media, require mental energy. And when they pile up, your brain starts burning fuel, fast.
Here’s what’s draining you:
Decision fatigue – Every choice, even what to eat for lunch, takes energy.
Emotional labor – Masking emotions or staying "pleasant" in Zoom calls is mentally exhausting.
Context switching – Jumping between tabs or tasks disrupts your brain’s flow state and increases fatigue.
Add in background stress (like global uncertainty, financial pressure, or subtle anxiety), and it’s no wonder you’re tired—even without physical strain.
The fix?
Start treating mental energy like a finite resource.
Take real breaks. Reduce unnecessary choices. And stop guilt-tripping yourself for needing rest when “nothing” happened.
Your brain was working hard. You just didn’t see it.
Ever felt mentally exhausted from doing “nothing”? Let us know how you cope.
— MHP Team