octopus0のWhat +α

Why We Feel Tired After Doing Nothing You didn’t exercise. You didn’t work hard. Yet somehow, you feel exhausted. This kind of tiredness is real—and it’s not physical. Mental Fatigue Is Not Rest The brain consumes energy constantly. Scrolling, switching apps, watching videos, and reacting to notifications all require attention. Resting your body does not always rest your brain. Attention Is Expensive Each small decision— what to watch, what to read, what to ignore— uses cognitive resources. Even passive activities can overload the brain when they require constant micro-choices. This leads to mental fatigue without movement. Why It Feels Worse Than Physical Tiredness Physical fatigue has clear signals. Mental fatigue is subtle. It builds quietly and lingers longer. That’s why “doing nothing” can feel more exhausting than activity. The Takeaway Feeling tired doesn’t always mean you need sleep. Someti...

Why Silence Feels Uncomfortable A conversation stops. No one speaks. Only a few seconds pass— but it feels much longer. Why does silence feel so heavy? Your Brain Hates Uncertainty The human brain is a prediction machine. It constantly guesses what comes next: sounds, words, reactions. Silence breaks prediction. When nothing happens, the brain has no signal to follow. Silence Triggers Social Alert In social situations, silence can mean danger. Rejection. Disapproval. Conflict. Even when nothing is wrong, your brain prepares for it. Silence Isn’t the Problem The discomfort doesn’t come from silence itself. It comes from the brain trying—and failing—to predict. Silence feels uncomfortable because it removes direction. The Takeaway Silence isn’t awkward by nature. It’s simply empty space your brain hasn’t learned to rest in yet.

Why We Keep Checking Our Phones Without Any Notification You pick up your phone. There’s no message. No alert. Nothing new. Yet somehow, you checked it anyway. This behavior isn’t accidental. It’s a learned response built into modern life. Your Brain Is Chasing Possibility Each time you receive a notification, your brain releases a small amount of dopamine. Not because the message is good— but because it might be. Uncertainty is more addictive than reward itself. Over time, the brain stops waiting for notifications. It starts checking just in case . The Habit Loop This creates a simple loop: Boredom → Phone Check → No Reward → Try Again The loop doesn’t need success every time. Occasional reward is enough to keep it alive. Why This Feels Exhausting Each check costs attention. Even without noticing, your brain constantly resets focus. That’s why phone fatigue feels real— even when you “did nothing.” T...

Why Time Feels Faster as We Get Older As children, a single summer feels endless. As adults, entire years disappear in a blink. This isn’t imagination. It’s how the human brain processes memory and routine. Memory Density Changes Time When life is filled with new experiences, the brain stores more distinct memories. More memories make time feel longer— because looking back feels rich and detailed. Routine compresses memory. Compressed memory makes time feel fast. Why This Matters Understanding this changes how we see time. Time isn’t speeding up. Our perception is simplifying. Small changes—new routes, new skills, new routines— can slow time down again. Time feels longer when life feels new.