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The dozens of decisions we have to make every day sometimes end up putting us under pressure. As a result, we hesitate, we get annoyed and we become exhausted… over nothing. But this decision-making fatigue can be thwarted, with the right reflexes, announces a psychologist.
From the choice of your outfit, to the menus for the week, to the appointments to make, or the best route… Our daily lives are often punctuated by untimely decision-making which can, in the long term, exhaust us. . A phenomenon known as decision fatigue that can really impact our mental health.
What is decision fatigue by definition?
Decision fatigue is therefore this mental exhaustion that we can feel when we have to make dozens of decisions, even trivial ones, every day. When it sets in, in addition to the feeling of fatigue, it can lead to “poor decision-making or difficulty making decisions and choices”, explains Susan Albers, psychologist at the Cleveland Clinic, in a dedicated topic. As a result, you find yourself frozen and annoyed by the slightest choice.
Additionally, this fatigue is not always detected because it builds up over time. But there are some warning signs, which Lynn Bufka, another psychologist from the American Psychological Association, details in an article on CNN.
- Irritability and difficulty handling certain situations that you would not normally have difficulty dealing with;
- Difficulty processing the flow of incoming information such as notifications, messages, or the latest news updates (with the feeling of drowning in a glass of water);
- A feeling of regret about choices you wouldn’t normally think twice about.
“If you feel more overwhelmed or emotionally overwhelmed by life, this could be a sign that your inner resources are depleted and you are at greater risk (of decision fatigue) as a result”she summarizes.
3 imperatives to deal with this state
Unfortunately, decision fatigue can also lead you to other behaviors, such as procrastination, decision avoidance, emotional turmoil, or impulsive decisions. So, how to get rid of it?
For Susan Albers, it is good to return to the essentials:
- Create a routine, to limit decision-making, since you know what to expect each day. By preparing a routine and deciding on your dishes in advance, for example, you save yourself the research. Staying organized with a calendar can also help.
- Delegate! When possible, do not take all the decisions on your shoulders. A teenager, for example, can decide on his own outfits. A spouse takes care of meals on certain days of the week.
- Finally, get enough sleep. “The main cause of decision fatigue is lack of sleep. Studies have shown that we have difficulty making decisions when we are too tired or feel tired,” supports Dr. Albers. If you have a difficult choice, try catching up on your sleep instead.
Finally, if despite everything you feel overwhelmed in your everyday life, it is best to consult a mental health professional.
Slide: Mental load illustrated