The ebb and flow of cognitive fatigue

Published on October 15, 2023

Fatigue is like the ebb and flow of ocean waves, with moments of high energy crashing onto the shore followed by calm periods of rest. In a recent study, researchers dove into the depths of cognitive fatigue, exploring its fluctuating nature through experiments and modeling. By understanding how fatigue rises and recedes, we gain a precise map of its patterns. Just as the tides are influenced by external factors like the moon and weather conditions, our mental tiredness can be influenced by physical and cognitive effort. This study sheds light on the mechanisms behind our fatigue roller coaster, helping us navigate through exhausting periods and rejuvenating downtime.

The findings open doors for future research to uncover strategies for managing and preventing fatigue-related issues in various contexts. Whether you’re dealing with mental exhaustion from intensive studying or experiencing burnout at work, exploring this study will illuminate ways to ride the waves of cognitive fatigue more smoothly.

If you are currently feeling tired, you are not alone: feelings of fatigue are incredibly common. In a recent study, Matthews et al. investigated moment-to-moment fluctuations in fatigue using behavioral experiments and computational modeling. The study offers a precise account of how fatigue waxes (during physical and cognitive effort) and wanes (during rest).

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