Why You're Always Tired: The Link Between Mental Fatigue and Unfinished Tasks

A stressed young woman surrounded by mountains of colorful papers and charts feels completely overwhelmed.

Summary

Feeling constantly tired, even after a good night’s rest? It could be your to-do list that’s draining your energy.

🧠 Unfinished tasks create mental loops that keep your brain busy, leading to decision fatigue and mental burnout.
The more you leave undone, the more energy your brain uses to keep those tasks on its radar. 📉

In this post, we’ll explore how these open loops contribute to mental fatigue and how you can start closing them to feel more energized. 🌿

There are times when my depression feels so heavy that even the smallest tasks seem impossible. It’s not just the exhaustion in my body, but this deep mental fatigue that makes it hard to focus on anything. When I’m in a depressive state, the weight of unfinished tasks becomes even more overwhelming. Every little thing I leave undone feels like a burden, and my brain becomes consumed by it, reminding me of everything I need to do, but can't find the energy to act.
This cycle of constantly pushing things to the back burner only increases my feelings of being stuck. The more I avoid, the more exhausted I become. I can’t escape the mental loop that says, "You should have done this by now," or "You need to do this." It's a relentless loop of mental exhaustion that’s hard to break out of when depression has a grip on me.

Why Unfinished Tasks Drain Your Mental Energy

It’s easy to think that physical exhaustion is the main reason we feel tired. But mental fatigue is just as important, and it’s often triggered by unfinished tasks. Research has shown that these unresolved tasks create open loops in your brain.🧠

Open loops demand your brain’s attention, even when you’re not consciously thinking about them. Each time you look at your to-do list or remember something you’ve left undone, your brain spends energy trying to hold on to it. This constant mental effort can leave you feeling mentally drained and unable to focus. 💤

According to research by Zeigarnik (1927), incomplete tasks tend to remain more prominent in our minds than completed ones, creating ongoing mental tension. This is known as the Zeigarnik Effect.

Further research also supports this idea, showing that open loops have a direct link to cognitive load. As cognitive resources are depleted, mental fatigue increases, leaving you with less mental energy to perform tasks. 🧠💡

Mental Health and Unfinished Tasks: The Link to Mental Illness

For those struggling with mental illness, the effects of unfinished tasks can be even more profound. When dealing with conditions like depression or anxiety, the mental loops created by unresolved tasks can feel suffocating.

Task anxiety becomes more intense, and the brain’s constant attempt to keep track of everything you haven’t done only adds to the overwhelming feeling of being "behind."

This can cause a ripple effect: the more you avoid tasks, the more you feel drained, and the harder it becomes to take action. For individuals living with mental illness:

Decision fatigue can set in more quickly
Making it harder to make choices or move forward with any task

It’s not just about completing tasks; it’s about reducing the mental burden that comes with trying to manage everything in your head when your mental health is already compromised. Studies have found that individuals with depression experience higher levels of cognitive fatigue, which can contribute to feelings of burnout.

How to Close Open Loops and Reduce Mental Fatigue

If you want to feel less tired and more productive, here are some strategies for closing those mental loops and reducing mental fatigue:

Break Tasks Into Smaller, Actionable Steps
- Instead of tackling an overwhelming project all at once, break it down into smaller, manageable pieces. ✔️ Completing small steps will make you feel more accomplished and reduce mental strain.
Prioritize Important Tasks
- Focus on the most urgent or important tasks first. Prioritizing helps you get closer to completing tasks without feeling buried under a mountain of to-dos. 🌱
Use the 2-Minute Rule
- If a task will take less than two minutes, do it immediately! This prevents small tasks from accumulating and creating extra mental clutter. 🕑
Set Boundaries with Time-Blocking
- Block off time in your schedule to focus solely on completing certain tasks. This will reduce distractions and help you make noticeable progress. 🗓️
Learn to Say No
- Overloading yourself with tasks will only add to your mental fatigue. Setting boundaries and saying no to additional responsibilities is key to preserving energy. 🚫

Final Thoughts

Feeling tired? It could be your to-do list that's draining you. Unfinished tasks create open loops in your brain that demand mental energy and contribute to mental fatigue and decision fatigue. By breaking tasks into smaller steps, prioritizing, and setting clear boundaries, you can close those loops and free up your brainpower. 💪

So take a moment today to evaluate your to-do list. What tasks can you close? Even completing one small task can help you feel more energized and reduce mental clutter. 🌟

Thank you for stopping by! Until next time, remember that you are not alone in your feelings or experiences. I've got your back! For more updates, click here.

Disclaimer: The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. If you are struggling, seeking help from a licensed mental health professional who can offer personalized guidance and support is important.
For more information about the topics discussed, consider visiting the following links:

Search This Blog