It’s that time of year where you might be feeling like you’ve hit a mid-year slump. It’s normal to feel a little tired, run down and ready for a break. If you’re feeling a little stressed and overwhelmed when it comes to making decisions, you could be experiencing decision fatigue, a state of mental overload that can impact our ability to make decisions. These decisions could be as simple as ‘what should we watch on Netflix tonight?’ or more complex decisions involving work or finances, etc. Regardless of the situation you’re faced with, you might have a constant feeling that you’re too tired or overwhelmed to make a decision. Find out how you can combat decision fatigue and have yourself feeling lighter and less stressed in no time…
IMAGE BY @PAPAYALOVIN
Get a good night's sleep
Sleep plays a really important role in our ability to make decisions. We’ve all heard that it’s best to ‘sleep on it’ if you’re struggling with a difficult decision, and this saying couldn’t be more true if you’re experiencing decision fatigue. Ensure that you get a good night’s sleep to restore your energy, and chances are you’ll feel clearer and more capable of making a decision when you wake up.
Make some choices automatic
We are faced with so many decisions throughout the day, from ‘what should I have for breakfast' to ‘when should I walk the dog’ to ‘what time should I go to bed.’ It helps to automate some decisions to make your days and weeks a little easier. For example, if you struggle to think of what to make for dinner each night, try writing a meal plan each Sunday so you’re prepared for the week.
Don't set your expectations too high
Sometimes when we’re making decisions we overthink them a little too much and set high expectations for ourselves. Remember, it’s not the end of the world if you have some second thoughts about a decision, so don’t be too hard on yourself. If you’re not happy with the outcome, most decisions aren’t irreversible, so you can readjust and choose a different course.
Give yourself time
When you’re constantly making decisions it can become exhausting and cloud your judgement. Give yourself time to think without stress and expectation, and break up your day so you’re not always ‘on’, this will help you make more thoughtful decisions.
Tune into your feelings
Check in with yourself to ensure that you don’t burnout. If you can sense decision fatigue coming on, give yourself a break and avoid decisions. For example, if you’ve had a busy day at work filled with decisions, take it easy when you get home and cook yourself your favourite fool-proof meal and watch your go-to TV show.
* The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation.
