Too much focus really does tire your brain

Have you ever felt that your attention is completely drained after a long day at work? Or maybe you find yourself struggling to concentrate after a few hours of studying? You’re not alone. Research has shown that excessive focus does lead to fatigue and a decrease in cognitive performance. That’s because your brain has a limited capacity for sustained attention. When you use it continuously without taking breaks or switching tasks, it gets overloaded and works less efficiently.

So how can you combat this brain drain? Here’s an interesting fact for you: by shifting between intense concentration and unfocused thinking, you can activate what is known as the “default mode network” (DMN) in your brain. This network activates when you are relaxed and not focused on a particular task, allowing your brain to rest and recharge.

It plays such a paradoxical role in mental focus that researchers jokingly refer to it as the “Do Mostly Nothing” circuit. After all, it only becomes active when you’re not concentrating intensely. When you’re at rest, though, the DMN in your brain uses up a significant 20% of your body’s energy.

As a success-focused professional, it’s important to understand why this matters to you. Put simply, regular breaks from intense concentration are crucial for developing new ideas, being creative, and sustaining high levels of productivity. By allowing your brain to rest and activate the DMN, you’re giving it the chance to make valuable connections between seemingly unrelated information.

 

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So, when you find yourself stuck on a problem or searching for new ideas, consider giving your brain some downtime. Go for a walk, enjoy a hobby, or simply let your thoughts drift. You’ll be surprised by the creative insights that come to the surface.

When making decisions, intense focus on a single task can limit your perspective. By relaxing and exploring alternative viewpoints, you can make more informed choices. So, when faced with a difficult decision, step back, relax and let your mind wander.

Always remember that your brain functions best when it alternates between focused thinking and relaxation. By embracing moments of relaxation, you can cultivate resilience, spark creativity and boost your decision-making prowess. Make sure you take those breaks, let your mind wander and use your downtime to power your uptime!

If you’re eager to delve deeper into this captivating study, the original article is available here.

This article summary was created by Eleanor Shakiba

Eleanor is a leadership trainer, success coach and people skills expert. She helps managers and business owners build thriving teams and organisations, using tools from Positive Psychology. She's trained more than 60,000 people during her career as a corporate trainer and professional development consultant. Her mission is inspiring talented people to become leaders who make a difference.