Decisions, decisions, decisions!

Should I let this kiddo go to the bathroom? Do I need to take more time with this concept? Should I respond to Jack’s behavior or let this one go? Should I answer this email now or let it wait? Should I make Susan redo this homework assignment? Should I take 2 more minutes to finish this lesson? Any of these thoughts sound familiar?

These are but a few of the decisions that might race through your mind during your school day. Oftentimes we are mentally exhausted by the end of the day due to the sheer volume of decisions we make all day as educators. This is due to something called decision fatigue.

Decision fatigue is the mental exhaustion we experience after making a lot of decisions. It can lead to poorer decisions, feeling depleted, overwhelmed, anxious and ultimately, burn-out.

Have you ever noticed the sugary treats at the supermarket check-outs? Strategically placed to entice you after the decision making marathon known as grocery shopping. By the time you’re at the cash register, your decision making skills are worn down, leaving you more vulnerable to unhealthy choices.

It’s estimated that we make 35,000 decisions a day!

What should I wear today?

Coffee or tea?

What should I eat?

Hair down or up?

What the fastest way to get to work?

Do the kids have practice today?

Since we’re coming up to the ultimate decision fatigue time, holiday season, here are some tips to help you stay calm, decisive and happy.

Meal Prep. Deciding what to eat can take a lot of energy. And if we don’t make a plan, we can end up grabbing something unhealthy because it’s quick and easy. Fast food chains have made an industry out of it. What we eat is one of the most important decisions we make all day. That’s why spending some time to meal prep 1-2 days a week can lessen your decision stress and make it so you have healthy choices on hand. Take time on Sundays to meal prep for the week. Plan your menus, shop, chop and prep.

Simplify your wardrobe. What do Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg and Albert Einstein have in common? They wore the same outfit everyday. It cut down on the decision making during their peak hours, early in the day. If you don't want to wear the same thing, maybe pick a signature color that's easy to match. Or make an outfit plan at the beginning of the week.

Make important decisions earlier in the day. Before other decisions start to pile up and wear you down as the day goes on, make your big decisions in the morning.

Did you ever notice at night that certain issues seem unsolvable and by the light of the next day, you know exactly what to do?

Remove distractions. Here are the biggies: cell phones, social media, email. Each time you engage, decisions start to pile up. What should I click on? Should I respond now? Do I like or love? Comment or no? Look at that outfit!

All of those reactions will impact your ability to make decisions later on.

Last but not least, take some deep breathing breaks. Get up and walk around. Inhale deeply, exhale deeply. Clearing your mind can lead to clearer decision making.

We hope that helps :).