Sept. 16, 2022 – You’ve been doing deep focus work all day. Now you’re mentally fried. Get out. Exhausted. But you’re trying to wrap up a project. Are you willing to push through?
Science has the answer.
In a Current BiologyStudyFrench researchers have found that mentally difficult tasks can be done for longer than six hours. This leads to an increase in the likelihood of having the problem later. Brain’s prefrontal cortex of glutamate, a molecule involved in learning and memory, that can be toxic in high levels.
“Fatigue might be an adaptation to reduce the accumulation of glutamate,” says study author Antonius Wiehler, PhD, a researcher at the Paris Brain Institute. In other words, that tired feeling could be your brain’s way of telling you to stop so your glutamate levels won’t get any higher.
The researchers split 40 people into two different groups. The one group was required to complete mentally demanding assignments for more than six hours, while the other was assigned simpler tasks.
The group who had to think hard at the end showed more signs and symptoms of fatigue. Wiehler explained that the reduced pupil dilation was linked to lower effort levels. Wiehler also mentioned a tendency toward focusing on quick rewards and requiring less effort.
They chose to get a smaller amount right away rather than a larger sum later. They chose a harder task for a 30-minute task and a lower resistance level to complete a 30-minute stationary bike ride.
They made decisions that required less self-control, and thus less effort.
“It must have become more costly for them to apply control,” says Wiehler.
Researchers used magnetic resonance to examine the brain chemistry of people. They also identified higher glutamate levels among hard thinkers.
“It is important to limit glutamate release,” Wiehler says, explaining that’s because glutamate is a useful resource inside cells, but potentially toxic in excess outside or between cells.
How can you restore brain function
This research has one takeaway: You’re not a machine. After a mentally challenging day, your brain needs rest.
“Breaks and Sleep are important,” Wiehler says. So, make sure you’re taking 10- to 15-minute breaks throughout the day and getting that solid 8 hours of shut-eye at night.
And try to make important decisions when you’re rested, he suggests.
To avoid eating unhealthy food after a long day, you might plan meals in advance. Or you could exercise earlier to put more effort into your workouts. Exercise.
Wiehler says that further research is necessary to prove that these tips work.
“We’ll ask the questions: How is [glutamate level]Are you able to get your sleep back? How long does it take? [sleep] How long should breaks be?”
