mental effort

Mental effort refers to the cognitive energy we use when engaging in tasks that require focus, problem-solving, decision-making, or learning. It involves actively deploying attention and mental resources to process information, analyze situations, or complete complex activities. Just like physical effort exhausts the body, mental effort depletes mental resources, which can lead to fatigue if sustained for too long. The capacity for mental effort varies among individuals and depends on factors like motivation and overall mental load. Managing mental effort effectively helps improve performance and prevents cognitive burnout.