Dealing With Decision Fatigue
We make hundreds of decisions every day. What should I eat for lunch? When am I going to fit some exercise in? How can I balance my work life and my home life? Whether they be large or small, we run out of steam every day due, in part, to decision fatigue.
Learning how to manage decision-making can help combat feeling overly stressed and help us continue to make smart, healthy choices.
How it works
Decision fatigue is recognized as the mental and emotional strain resulting from a burden of choices. The danger lies in our mental weariness causing us to override our basic wants and needs and more likely opt for the easiest choice.
- Planning meals
- Getting dressed
- Prioritizing projects at work
- Managing an overflowing inbox
- Managing texts, calls and social media
How to recognize it
Decision fatigue might not always be easy to spot, but there are a few key signs like procrastination, impulsivity, avoidance and indecision. Any or all of these might be signs that you’re headed for a burnout.
What to do about it
Mindfulness matters, especially when it comes to making decisions. The best way to keep your energy up, rather than getting bogged down with too many choices, is to consciously direct your thoughts and actions in a few simple ways.
- Focus on self-care.
- Cut down on needless decision-making by prioritizing what needs to be done right away. Take as many minor low-stake decisions out of the mix as possible.
- When it comes to making major decisions, try to adopt the same philosophy across the board for each one.
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed sometimes. If you’re feeling the symptoms of decision fatigue, which include irritability, lack of energy and stress, our telehealth services are here for you.
