If your mind feels foggy, distracted, or mentally exhausted by the middle of the day, you’re not imagining it. What doesn’t help is assuming you just need more caffeine or stronger willpower to stay focused.

If your brain feels foggy, slow, or overwhelmed—even when you haven’t done anything “that hard”—you’re not imagining it. What doesn’t help is being told to focus harder, push through, or just get more motivated.