New MyIQ research indicates that mental load has become a defining pressure of the AI era, with cognitive fatigue increasingly shaping how people approach work, relationships, and daily life.
Cognitive fatigue and decision overload have emerged as central wellness concerns in 2025, according to new survey data from MyIQ. Individuals report mounting strain from constant information exposure, accelerated work rhythms, and the expanding presence of AI in everyday decision-making. The findings suggest a shift in how stress is experienced: less as episodic burnout and more as sustained cognitive saturation.
In a survey of more than 3,000 adults across the US, UK, and EU, 79% said they regularly struggle with decision fatigue in daily life, while 68% reported feeling mentally exhausted before the end of a typical workday. Rather than describing dramatic breakdown points, respondents pointed to a steady erosion of mental clarity across ordinary routines.
Participants reported making an average of 120 micro-decisions per day, spanning work-related judgments, personal logistics, and digital interactions such as responding to notifications or navigating algorithm-driven recommendations. For 61%, the cumulative weight of these small decisions felt more taxing than major life choices. The data indicate that cognitive strain increasingly stems from volume rather than intensity.
The expansion of AI tools appears to have introduced additional evaluative layers. While designed to streamline tasks, automated systems often require oversight. 57% of respondents said they feel pressure to review, adjust, or second-guess AI-generated suggestions instead of accepting them passively. At the same time, 49% reported heightened anxiety about making the wrong decision compared with two years ago, reflecting a broader sense of consequence attached to routine choices.
The effects extend beyond professional contexts. 72% of participants said mental fatigue affects their personal relationships, citing irritability, withdrawal, and decision avoidance as common outcomes. Among those aged 25 to 39, the figure rises to 81%, highlighting the particular strain on early- and mid-career adults managing professional acceleration alongside personal commitments.
The findings also suggest a behavioural response taking shape. Looking ahead to 2026, 64% of respondents said they plan to actively reduce decision exposure through simplified routines, fewer digital platforms, or firmer personal boundaries. Meanwhile, 58% indicated interest in tools that help them understand their cognitive patterns, signalling a shift from time-management strategies toward deeper cognitive self-assessment.
MyIQ’s internal analysis points to a broader reframing of productivity. Mental clarity is increasingly viewed as a finite resource requiring deliberate protection. Rather than pursuing constant optimisation, respondents appear to prioritise cognitive sustainability, reducing unnecessary inputs, limiting evaluative friction, and seeking clearer insight into how they process information.
As automated systems continue to expand and information density increases, the survey data suggests that cognitive overload is unlikely to recede. Instead, decision fatigue may become a defining structural feature of contemporary life, shaping not only workplace performance but also emotional availability, relational stability, and long-term well-being.
About MyIQ:
MyIQ was launched in 2024 and is used by over a million individuals worldwide. It is a digital self-knowledge platform that offers more than an IQ score, with over 9 million completed tests across the various test categories, cognitive, personality, and relationships, all with personalised, actionable insights. The platform offers over 25 brain games, more than 150 intelligence puzzles, over 20 hours of expert video content, and 300+ available lessons on emotional intelligence, problem-solving, innovation, confidence-building, and decision-making. Through its IQ test, full-spectrum personality assessment, and relationship insight quiz, MyIQ delivers structured, personalized feedback that helps individuals better understand their inner world and behaviour.
MyIQ was launched in 2024 and is used by over a million individuals worldwide. It is a digital self-knowledge platform that offers more than an IQ score, with over 9 million completed tests across the various test categories, cognitive, personality, and relationships, all with personalised, actionable insights. The platform offers over 25 brain games, more than 150 intelligence puzzles, over 20 hours of expert video content, and 300+ available lessons on emotional intelligence, problem-solving, innovation, confidence-building, and decision-making. Through its IQ test, full-spectrum personality assessment, and relationship insight quiz, MyIQ delivers structured, personalized feedback that helps individuals better understand their inner world and behaviour.