Breaking Free from Decision Fatigue

Letters From TFS

Written by Miriam Onyemenam

Decision fatigue is a psychological phenomenon that affects our ability to make choices as the number of decisions we have to make increases. For university students, this can be particularly challenging given the numerous choices they have to make daily, from academic tasks to personal life decisions. Keep reading to understand more deeply what decision fatigue is, its causes, and effective strategies to fight it.

What is Decision Fatigue?

Imagine having to make dozens of choices from the moment you wake up until you go to bed. What to wear, what to eat, which classes to attend, how to tackle assignments, and so on. Decision fatigue is what happens when your brain gets tired from all these decisions.

Here\’s a simpler way to understand it:

• Mental exhaustion: Just like your body gets tired after physical activity, your brain gets tired after making many decisions. When it\’s tired, it becomes harder to make good choices.

• Decreased quality of decisions: As you make more decisions throughout the day, the quality of your choices can start to decline. You might find yourself making impulsive or poor decisions just because you\’re mentally drained.

• Overwhelming choices: The more choices you have to make, the more exhausted you become. This can lead to feeling overwhelmed and struggling to make even simple decisions.

• Procrastination and avoidance: When decision fatigue sets in, you might start putting off decisions or avoiding them altogether because your brain just doesn\’t want to deal with them anymore.

In essence, decision fatigue is like running a marathon with your mind. The more decisions you make, the more tired you get, and the harder it becomes to keep making good choices.

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What Causes Decision Fatigue?

1. Constant decision-making: The daily grind of making numerous decisions, from small choices like what to eat for breakfast to larger ones like managing your study schedule, wears down your mental energy. This unending stream of choices can be mentally draining.

1. Lack of routine: When your day lacks structure, every task becomes a decision. Without a set routine, you have to constantly decide what to do next. Should you cook now or later? What time should you start your assignments? This constant need to plan and decide adds unnecessary stress and exhausts your decision-making capacity. Having a routine streamlines your day, reducing the number of decisions and preserving your mental energy for more important tasks.

1. Complexity of choices: The more complicated a decision is, the more brain power it requires. Choosing between multiple job offers, figuring out how to balance your academics with your side hustle, or picking a project topic can all be overwhelming. These complex decisions require careful consideration of pros and cons, future implications, and personal preferences. Each layer of complexity adds to the mental load, making it easier for your brain to tire out faster.

1. Emotional stress: High levels of emotional stress can increase decision fatigue. When you’re dealing with personal issues, anxiety, or academic pressures, your emotional state takes a toll on your cognitive functions. Stress can cloud your judgment, making every decision feel more burdensome and overwhelming. It’s like carrying an invisible weight that makes even simple choices seem challenging.

How to Overcome Decision Fatigue

1. Simplify your routine: Establish routines for daily tasks to minimize the number of decisions you need to make. For instance, plan your meals and outfits for the week in advance.

2. Prioritize decisions: Identify the most important decisions you need to make each day and tackle them when your mental energy is at its peak. For many, this is usually early in the morning.

3. Limit choices: Reduce the number of choices you have to make by setting clear criteria or limitations. For example, limit your study materials to a few reliable sources instead of overwhelming yourself with too many PDFs and slides.

4. Take breaks: Regular breaks can help refresh your mind. Step away from decision-making tasks to recharge your mental energy. A short walk or quick nap can work wonders.

6. Set deadlines: Give yourself specific deadlines for making decisions to avoid overthinking and procrastination. Knowing there\’s a cut-off can help streamline your decision-making process.

7. Practice self-care: Maintain a healthy lifestyle with adequate sleep, nutrition, and physical activity. A healthy body supports a healthy mind, making it easier to handle decision-making pressures.

Decision fatigue is a real and challenging aspect of being a university student, but understanding its causes and recognizing its signs can help you manage it effectively. 

Remember, your mental well-being is crucial for your overall success and productivity. Take control of your decisions, but most importantly, give yourself grace when needed.

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