The Paradox of Cognition: Why Thinking Too Hard Can Make You Miserable

New research shows that mental exertion is often linked with negative emotions.
A meta-analysis of 170 studies revealed that regardless of the task or population, increased mental effort correlates with feelings of frustration and stress. This phenomenon is less pronounced in Asian populations, possibly due to different educational experiences. Despite this, people still engage in mentally challenging tasks like chess, driven by the rewards rather than enjoyment of the effort itself.

Mental Effort and Discomfort
According to research published by the American Psychological Association, if somebody complains that it hurts to think, they may be onto something, as mental exertion appears to be associated with unpleasant feelings in many situations.