Millions of people around the world execute without thinking a gesture which may seem mundane but can reveal a lot, depending on the psychological perspective.
Although many see it as a simple custom, taking off your sneakers without untying the laces is, according to psychologyan everyday practice that can reveal clues about how the human brain works, how we manage our mental energy, and what this says about our relationship with effort and self-care.
According to the psychologist Olga Albaladejothis behavior not only responds to a practical issue, but also “It talks about our relationship with rules, with physical wear and tear, and with immediacy in our daily lives.””, explains the expert.
What happens in the mind when we don’t untie our shoelaces?
When you get home after a long day, the human brain seems to constantly look for ways to save energy.
Approximately 40% of the shares What we make every day are not conscious decisions, but rather automatic habits that the brain executes to reserve mental resources for activities that require more attention.
In this sense, taking off your sneakers without untying the laces It falls into that category of actions that are carried out almost without realizing it.
This phenomenon is related to what specialists call “autopilot,” a state in which the body executes routine gestures while conscious attention is focused elsewhere.
This phenomenon is related to what specialists call “autopilot.” (Photos: NESTOR GARCIA).This type of behavior It can be a double-edged sword. Although it allows our mind to rest and reduce the cognitive load of routine, it also indicates a disconnection from the present moment.
Psychologists caution that this pattern should not be extrapolated to complex everyday situations, such as driving or crossing the street, where mindfulness is crucial.
To psychology, It is not always easy to determine whether this gesture is simply practical or if it is part of a more complex pattern of behavior.
For some, taking off their sneakers without untying the laces is a neutral act that only seeks comfort and lightness after a long day. For others, it may mean urgency, stress or one tendency towards immediacy to save energy and time (something common in modern times), reflecting a fast-paced lifestyle or an everyday mental disconnection.
