Emotional exhaustion is a signal of chronic stress (the nervous system remaining in a prolonged state of alert) which reduces working memory and increases sensitivity to threats; to overcome it, one must allow oneself rest and recharge one's energy reservoir without feeling guilty.

noli's read

Research broadly validates the link between persistent mental fatigue and the decline of our attentional capacities. A robust meta-analysis (Gavelin et al., 2022) confirms that exhaustion linked to chronic stress measurably reduces working memory. Observational work in neurobiology (such as that of Pizzagalli, 2014) shows that prolonged overwork makes the brain more reactive to environmental warning signals, amplifying sensitivity to stressful situations. Observational studies conducted by Horvat and Tement (2020) also highlight that emotionally tired individuals report significant subjective difficulties in performing simple daily tasks. Finally, the energy bank account metaphor is based on Hobfoll's conservation of resources theory, a validated model in well-being psychology that shows the importance of actively restoring one's strengths to avoid burnout.

the sources

No named source held this one up — that absence is part of the verdict.