Combating Decision Fatigue with Your Routine

In today’s fast-paced world, decision fatigue has become a common obstacle. Many fail to realize the power of routines in combating this, leading to enhanced productivity and creativity. Humans make around 35,000 decisions daily–that is quite a bit. Decision fatigue refers to the deteriorating quality of decisions made by an individual after a long session of decision-making. When faced with a multitude of choices throughout the day, our mental resources become depleted, leading to poor decisions or decision avoidance. This mental exhaustion can hinder productivity and stifle creativity.

I first learned about decision fatigue while working as a physician assistant. I was working a night shift, my work was done, and it was that lull of the shift where you were waiting for AM labs to filter in (if you know you know). I came across a blog discussing decision fatigue in healthcare providers; it piqued my interest so I looked into it further. One study showed that antibiotic prescriptions increased in the afternoon appointments. The researchers stated it was because providers became fatigued consistently explaining why an antibiotic will not work for a viral illness. This deeply resonated with me as I know I have sometimes made different decisions in the face of fatigue. There have been other studies, but still no direct link between decision fatigue and patient outcomes–particularly in the emergency room setting, but still this was a finding I could not overlook. 

So how do we develop strategies to help protect sacred mental space and energy against decision fatigue? Ah, that’s where routines come in. Establishing consistent morning and evening routines is one effective way to combat decision fatigue. Routines provide structure and eliminate the need to make countless small decisions, allowing you to conserve mental energy for more important tasks. By automating mundane choices such as what to wear, eat for breakfast, or how to wind down in the evening, you can free up cognitive resources for tasks that truly matter. Moreover, routines create a sense of predictability and stability, reducing stress and anxiety levels. When you know what to expect at the start and end of each day, you can approach responsibilities with a clear mind and a sense of control. 

Another way to prevent decision fatigue is to bulk your decision-making into a session. By batching decisions at the start of the week, you avoid making these individual choices each day. So, for example, on Sunday night you could plan out all your meals for the week, choose when you are working out, and when to run errands. Now each day of the week you won’t have to worry about figuring out what is for dinner after a day of conferences and meetings. Remember, if you don’t run the day, the day runs you. 

I encourage you to customize routines to align with your goals, preferences, and values. Whether it’s morning meditation, evening journaling, or regular exercise, these intentional practices can cultivate a positive mindset and fuel inspiration.

Get planning!!