Decision Fatigue Fix: How to prevent mental exhaustion

Every day, we make more than 30,000 decisions and, although most are automatic and almost unconscious, they can wear us down a lot mentally, leading to a state of “decision fatigue”. Being bombarded by notifications, over-stimulation, and endless options doesn’t help.

This mental exhaustion can lead to concentration problems, increased stress and difficulty making decisions. The good news is that with small changes and better organisation, we can avoid or lessen that fatigue.

  1. Create routines: automating some of our tasks reduces the number of decisions we have to make and frees up mental space.
  2. Group similar tasks together: Categorising tasks streamlines decision-making.
  3. Limit interruptions: Avoid stimuli and interruptions as much as possible while working; it will make it easier to make decisions.
  4. Share responsibilities: Learn how to delegate. Sharing tasks allows for clearer decision-making.
  5. Start with the most demanding: Start the day with tasks that require more mental effort to reduce fatigue and improve decision-making.
  6. Accept imperfection: Wanting to choose the ideal option leads us into an infinite loop. Deciding quickly on minor issues avoids getting bogged down.
  7. Take real breaks: Disconnecting for a few minutes when we feel that we are getting saturated helps to reboot the brain.
  8. Be sure to get good rest: Sleeping well, maintaining a healthy diet, and staying hydrated always help.

These little habits can help you preserve your mental energy and improve mental wellbeing. Making clearer decisions also means learning to simplify.