Cognitive demands and self-control: when tiredness goes beyond the body
- Marcela Peterson
- Jul 10
- 2 min read
Marcela Peterson
I have often observed a kind of exhaustion that does not appear in medical tests but manifests in silences, long pauses, and eyes that avoid contact: mental fatigue. It is important to reflect on how we carry out our work. When tasks require intense concentration, quick decisions, divided attention, and, at the same time, near-constant emotional control (such as not showing frustration, not reacting spontaneously, holding back impatience), the cost of this effort accumulates silently. And this accumulation takes a toll — increasing stress, the need for recovery after work hours, and, at times, emotional illness.
From my experience in corporate environments, I see how the physical layout of the space — often overlooked — intensifies this overload. The article points out that in open offices, where there is no privacy, the impact is even greater. It makes sense: when one is exposed all the time, the effort to maintain a “professional demeanor” increases, as does the difficulty of concentrating amid constant interruptions. It’s like trying to stay balanced on a boat rocked by invisible waves.
The interaction between cognitive demands and self-control requirements is not additive — it’s multiplicative. That insight struck me deeply. The strain comes not only from one or the other, but from the constant tension between the need to focus intensely while blocking any natural impulse of reaction, spontaneity, or retreat. It is a type of effort that drains the most subtle resources of our mental functioning: directed attention, executive control, and the capacity to recover.
Frustration with work goals, combined with discomfort, is often treated as something natural or even desirable — a sign that the person cares about their job. The problem arises when that frustration becomes chronic and finds no outlet for expression or transformation.
Redesigning not only tasks but also environments and expectations is extremely important in this process. Privacy at work, for example, is not a luxury — it is a protective factor. Workplaces that allow for silence, retreat, and autonomy over one’s space are essential to preserving mental balance.
It is also time to rethink the notion that “professionalism” means constant emotional restraint. The cost of maintaining that level of self-control is high — and often invisible. Promoting spaces for listening, real breaks, less hierarchical relationships, and an organizational culture that allows for the expression of vulnerability may be the path to preventing work from becoming a place of continuous emotional exhaustion.
It is not just physical work that leads to illness. When the mind is constantly overloaded without relief, it also cries for help — and doesn’t always find someone who listens.
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