KALMers, have you ever found yourself with too many options that it actually makes it difficult for you to decide? Every day, we are surrounded with choices, whether small ones like, “What’s for lunch?” Or larger-important ones like, “Should I continue my studies in this field?” With so many decisions that we have to make everyday it may lead us to feel overwhelmed and distressed. If that is what you are experiencing, you may be suffering from decision fatigue. What is that? Keep on reading this article until the end, KALMers!
Decision Fatigue
Decision fatigue is a term to describe the feeling of being overwhelmed when making decisions. This is a psychological phenomenon that explains the limitations of a person’s ability or capacity to make decisions.
Why Does This Happen?
This condition is often triggered when one is faced with having to make what we perceive as high stakes decisions. The more things that need to be decided each day will cause you to be mentally exhausted. The size of the consequences of the decisions made also play a role as a cause of decision fatigue. Making decisions with big consequences is certainly more difficult than decisions with light consequences. Furthermore, the complexity of the decision, your stress level when making a decision, and whether or not the decision has a significant impact on other people can all contribute to decision fatigue.
Especially in the midst of the global pandemic like right now, when many things and activities become even more difficult to choose between. Specifically when it comes to health related matters. For example, what mode of transportation is the safest to use, or is it safe to eat in public, etc.
Signs You’re Experiencing Decision Fatigue
If you feel some of the signs mentioned below, you may be experiencing decision fatigue.
- Procrastinating: “I’ll finish this later.”
- The emergence of impulsive behaviour such as doing something without thinking first.
- Avoidance behaviour: “I just can’t handle with this right now!”
- Continue to hesitate in choosing something.
Over time, if not managed properly, this decision fatigue will increase stress in general and even have physical effects such as headaches and indigestion.
How to Deal With It?
1. Set Your Priorities
Start making decisions from the most important things first so this decision-making process can be done while your energy is still full. By setting priorities, you can reduce the potential for decision fatigue that may occur.
2. Reduce The Options Available
Too many choices can increase your stress level, KALMers. One way to do this is to limit your choices. This can be started with small things like choosing clothes. By simplifying the choice of outfit every day, it will indirectly simplify the decision-making obligations that must be taken every day.
3. Learn How to Say, “No”
Rejecting other people’s requests is not always a bad thing, KALMers. Sometimes we need to say, “No,” to other people to prioritise the decisions we have made, even though these choices are different from other people’s choices. You must also consider the implications of expressing, “Yes,” or, “No,” on a wish list, as well as the needs of others.
4. Practice Self-Care
This is no less important! Physical fatigue can also play a role in your mental capacity, so that when someone is tired, they tend to make more rash decisions. Don’t forget to rest when needed and routinely do basic self-care, KALMers.
Read more: The Importance of Emotional Boundaries with Family, 5 Steps to Healthy Emotional Boundaries With Our Friends, and Tips to Stop Being a People Pleaser
Those are the signs and tips for dealing with decision fatigue. What do you think? Do you feel the signs mentioned above?
If you feel overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask for help from the closest people or professional help, KALMers! Kalmselor will help you find a suitable way to solve your problem. Download the KALM App (here) to connect online with professionals Kalmselor.
Written by: Dzulfani S Nisa
Translated by: Dzulfani S Nisa
Edited by: Rachma Fitria & Lukas Limanjaya
Sources:
Colino, S. (2021, September 22). Decision fatigue: Why it’s so hard to make up your mind these days, and how to make it easier. Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/too-many-choices-decision-fatigue/2021/09/21/2dffce74-1b22-11ec-bcb8-0cb135811007_story.html
Lamothe, C. (2019, October 3). Understanding Decision Fatigue. Healthline. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/decision-fatigue
Scott, E. (2021, January 4). How To Prevent Decision Fatigue. Very Well Mind. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-prevent-decision-fatigue-3956973
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