A recent study highlights the negative effects of mental overactivity, suggesting that excessive thinking can cause real discomfort and even pain. Published by the American Psychological Association in the journal Psychological Bulletin, the research indicates that mental effort can harm mental health, particularly in workplace settings.
The conventional belief that intellectual stimulation is always beneficial is challenged by this study. Researchers found that overthinking often leads to stress, frustration, and irritation, ultimately affecting well-being. The meta-analysis reviewed data from 170 studies conducted between 2019 and 2020, involving 4,670 participants.
Senior author Erik Bijleveld from Radboud University in the Netherlands noted that managers and teachers typically encourage mental challenges. However, the findings suggest that people generally dislike mental effort, contradicting the assumption that they enjoy it.
Participants in the study represented diverse backgrounds, including healthcare workers, military personnel, amateur athletes, and students from 29 countries. They faced 358 cognitive tasks, ranging from learning new technologies to playing virtual reality games. Results showed that greater mental effort led to increased unpleasantness across all groups.
The study emphasizes the need for professionals, such as engineers and educators, to consider these findings when designing tasks and tools. Supporting or rewarding individuals who exert substantial mental effort is crucial.
Additionally, the study found regional differences in the experience of negative feelings associated with mental effort. Asian populations reported less discomfort compared to those in Europe or North America, possibly due to greater exposure to intellectual challenges from a young age.
The key to easing the negative sensations of mental effort lies in individuals’ willingness to engage voluntarily in challenging tasks, especially if rewards are involved. Bijleveld concludes that choosing mentally demanding activities does not necessarily indicate enjoyment of the effort itself; people may opt for these tasks despite the challenges.
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