Our ability to focus is a finite resource that diminishes as we use our mental energy throughout the day. There are various networks in our brain that collaborate to concentrate, direct, and regulate our attention. However, the extent to which we can pay attention is limited by the cognitive resources we have at our disposal. When the demands placed on us surpass these resources, our ability to perform effectively is compromised.

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, our attention is often rapidly diverted between screens, applications, and devices. This can be referred to as kinetic attention. This constant shifting demands continuous adjustments of our mental frameworks for each task. The frequent switching between tasks and interruptions exhaust our cognitive resources. If we don't take significant breaks, our mental performance deteriorates over the course of the day. However, activities such as sleeping, taking walks in nature, or playing simple games can replenish these resources.

Understanding how the brain's attention networks function and the limitations of our cognitive capacity can shed light on the difficulties many people experience when trying to maintain focus on digital devices. By being self-aware and using technology wisely, we can more effectively manage our finite attention resources.