Many times we feel tired even when we haven’t done any physical activity. This kind of tiredness is often related to how the brain uses energy.
The brain may look small, but it is one of the most active organs in the body. It uses around 20% of the body’s total energy, even though it makes up only about 2% of body weight.
This is because the brain is always working. It continuously controls basic functions like breathing, heart rate, and body temperature. At the same time, it is also involved in thinking, memory, emotions, and decision-making.
For all these activities, the brain mainly depends on glucose as its energy source. Nerve cells require this energy to send signals and communicate with each other.
When we focus, study, or think deeply, the brain uses more energy. That is why mental activities can sometimes make us feel more tired than physical work.
The brain also needs a constant supply of oxygen and glucose. If this supply decreases, it can lead to symptoms like dizziness, confusion, or even loss of consciousness in severe cases.
For example, in hypoglycemia, low blood sugar levels can directly affect brain function because the brain depends heavily on glucose.
So even when the body feels relaxed, the brain is still active and consuming energy.
This is why mental fatigue is real, even without physical effort.
What is soemthing you do to reduce the feeling of mental tiredness ?
MBH/PS