Stress functions like an energy bank account: meeting daily demands represents withdrawals of resources, and without regular deposits of rest and regeneration, physical and mental exhaustion becomes inevitable.

noli's read

This energy bank account metaphor is widely validated by stress management research. Psychologically, Conservation of Resources (COR) theory, developed by psychologist Stevan Hobfoll, relies on observational studies and meta-analyses to demonstrate that exhaustion occurs when our personal resources are consumed without being replenished. Biologically, expert opinion and the foundational theoretical models of neuroscientist Bruce McEwen on allostatic load confirm that the accumulation of tension without rest durably strains our adaptive capacities. Although the metaphor of a simple mathematical deduction of energy is somewhat simplified—since certain challenging tasks can sometimes strengthen resilience rather than merely depleting our reserves—the importance of a strict balance between expenditure and recovery is a scientific consensus. It is a very robust model for education and prevention to support one's well-being in daily life.

the sources

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