Overcoming Decision Fatigue: 4 Strategies to Reclaim Your Mental Energy

Every moment of your day is riddled with choices. Should you snooze your alarm or get out of bed? When do you respond to your school, work, or personal emails? What do you want to eat for dinner? Welcome to decision fatigue where the simplest choices- like picking a pen color- are turned into monumental tasks. Decision fatigue suggests that the more decisions a person makes over the course of a day, the more physically, mentally, and emotionally depleted they become. In this post, we’re going to dive share some tips to help you combat decision fatigue and reclaim your mental energy. 

Tip #1: Making Decisions Earlier in the Day

Consider trying to make decisions earlier in the day when your mind is fresh. Of course not everyone is a morning person, so this strategy doesn’t necessarily need to be performed immediately after you get out of bed. Instead, create a to-do after your first cup of coffee or morning meditation to reduce decision fatigue later in the day. With this technique, you have more energy to spend on completing planned tasks instead of wearing your mind out over choosing what to do next.

Tip #2: Reducing Number of Choices

Plan to reduce the number of choices you experience in your day to day life. For example, write out your dinner plans for every night of the week on Sunday night, including whether you are eating at home, picking something up, or dining out. For home-cooked meals, only buy the ingredients you need so that your refrigerator and pantry can support streamlined options.

Tip #3: Routines and Rhythm

Creating routines can curb decision fatigue as you find a rhythm in knowing what to expect. When you have consistency in your day-to-day life, decision-making is streamlined, stress is reduced, and productivity is enhanced. The repetition in routines can lead to the development of positive habits which improves executive functioning by supporting your overall wellbeing and long-term goals. 

Tip #4: Brain Breaks

Taking regular brain breaks can help rejuvenate your mind by allowing it to regain its capacity for effective decision-making. For an active activity, try taking a walk while listening to your favorite song to provide a change of scenery and elevate your mood. If you prefer a “stationary” brain break, practice deep breathing for a few minutes to reduce stress and increase focus.