You know that feeling of rowing for a simple task when, on paper, nothing looks complicated. Running errands while hungry, writing an urgent report with notifications open, reading a difficult text at midnight… In these moments, your brain plays in difficult mode without you having chosen it. Psychologists talk here about executive functions, these abilities that manage focus, planning and self-regulation.
In an article published on July 16, 2025 on Psychology Todaya psychologist describes how we sometimes increase the “default” difficulty while certain parameters are optional: hydration, environment, listening to the body, managing distractions. The real challenge is not to become heroic, but to return to normal mode as soon as possible. In other words, stop judging yourself as lazy when you play with the sliders at maximum.
Executive Functions: What It Really Means to Play Hard Mode
Executive functions are the mental abilities that allow you to concentrate, plan, organize and regulate your emotions to accomplish a task. When you try to read a complex text while you’re exhausted, or write an important email while watching your favorite series, you impose conditions on them that make their job unnecessarily difficult.
Simple dehydration can be enough to reduce cognitive performance. A 2018 study shows that dehydrated participants made 12% more errors during a cognitive flexibility test, while rehydration returned them to their usual level of performance. Our environment also strongly influences our ability to stay focused: distractions and an unsuitable work environment can quickly push the brain into “difficult mode”.
Hydration, body, distractions: three quick settings to test
The dialogue between the body and the brain also plays an essential role. Internal signals, called interoception, make it possible to identify simple but often ignored needs. For example, if you find yourself staring at a document but unable to write, you may simply be hungry or thirsty. Identifying this type of situation allows you to adopt concrete solutions, such as keeping a bottle of water close at hand or providing some snacks to avoid a drop in energy.
Another important lever: distractions. Multitasking is widely considered an illusion because the brain pays a real “cognitive tax” with each shift in attention. Studies show that the mere presence of a smartphone on the desk can reduce cognitive performance. Putting the phone away, closing unnecessary tabs and creating an environment conducive to concentration already allows you to partially escape this “difficult mode”, even if people living with ADHD may continue to encounter more difficulties.
Your “normal mode” ritual, especially if you live with ADHD
A good starting point is to create a mini-ritual before each demanding task: drink a glass of water, quickly check for hunger and fatigue, adjust the location and noise level, decide whether the presence of other people in work mode – “body doubling” – helps you or distracts you, then put the phone away. These difficulties do not arise from a lack of will, and in the event of ADHD or lasting suffering, professional support remains indicated.