Limited Resource Model

The Limited Resource Model suggests that individuals have a finite amount of mental energy or self-control at any given time. When you use up some of this resource—by making decisions, resisting temptations, or dealing with stress—you have less available for subsequent tasks. This reduction can impair your ability to focus, control impulses, or perform well later on. Essentially, self-control and mental capacity are like a limited budget that gets depleted with use, requiring rest or recovery to restore full function.