The reason: decision fatigue.
What Is Decision Fatigue?
The human brain is like a muscle.
Verywell / Nez Riaz
It gets tired of working just like legs might get tired of running.
Some might find themselvesparalyzed with indecision, unable to make any choice at all.
Hot vs. Intuitive “hot” decision-making like that is exactly where people with ADHD usually excel.
Once, while I was still learning to cook, I accidentally started a grease fire in my oven.
I’d spaced and forgotten to cover the ribs to prevent splatter.
Meanwhile, I sprang into action.
I then ordered a fire extinguisher to keep in our apartment for any future emergencies.
We’re not putting out literal fires most of the time, though.
If you’re making 35,000+ difficult-for-you decisions every single day, you’re bound to feel fatigued pretty often.
In your personal life, decision fatigue can put a lot of strain on your relationships.
Impulsive decisions in the workplace can lead to mistakes and oversights in your work.
The same is true for homework and class assignments if you’re a student.
Avoidance and procrastination can be just as harmful.
Decision fatigue can even impact your life indirectly.
How Can Those With ADHD Cope with Decision Fatigue?
The good news is that decision fatigue is a lot like the fatigue you feel after a hard workout.
With enough rest, it will go away on its own.
Are you kidding me?
you’re free to eliminate that problem bymaking a meal planfor yourself.
For best results, keep it simple.
You dont really need seven different breakfasts, lunches, and dinners each week.
In my case, I eat the same breakfast every day: fruit with yogurt.
The only thing that changes is the jot down of fruit I add.
Now, its as automatic as making my coffee in the morning.
Sometimes, the best thing it’s possible for you to do is indulge the urge to procrastinate.
The caveat: you cant procrastinate forever.
Instead,block out a specific timein your calendar to make that decision.
Then, use that extra time you gave yourself to actually rest.
have a go at shut that critical voice out so you could relax during this break.
Go for a walk outside.
Take a long bath with your favorite scented candles and a glass of wine.
Lay on the floor and listen to your favorite chill-out playlist.
Do something that you enjoy and that reinvigorates you.
That way, when you do come back to the decision, youre coming back refreshed and energized.
Do you gotta pick a topic for an essay due next week?
Are you planning to buy a new laptop or make another large purchase?
Click below to listen now.
Talk Through It Out Loud
If you have ADHD, your brain is probably loud.
Sometimes, talking through your decision aloud can help cut through the noise and keep you on track.
Flip a coin and just go with what it tells you.
Should I get the chicken nuggets?
Should I get the bacon cheeseburger?
Similarly, you’re free to crowd-source these decisions in some cases.
Dont know what cocktail to order at a bar?
Just ask the bartender to make you their favorite one.
Dont know which sheets to put on the bed?
Text a friend and ask them to pick a color.
How many daily decisions do we make?| unc-tv: science.
Sievertsen HH, Gino F, Piovesan M.Cognitive fatigue influences students performance on standardized tests.PNAS.
2016;113(10):2621-2624. doi:10.1073/pnas.1516947113
American Medical Association.What doctors wish patients knew about decision fatigue.
American Psychological Association.APA dictionary of psychology.
Rubia K.Cognitive neuroscience of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its clinical translation.Front Hum Neurosci.
2018;0. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00100
