Less Stress, More Clarity: Fixes for Decision Fatigue at Work

My feet are caked in dirt. I’ve been scrubbing for a good five minutes, and I still can’t seem to get it all off. My family and I just returned from an amazing week at a family camp near Yosemite National Park called Camp Mather. To get a chance to camp there, you have to apply at the beginning of the year and win a lottery—you aren’t guaranteed a spot. Opening the email that says “you’re in!” is like getting a Golden Ticket. Opening that email and realizing that several of your friends are going too… well, that’s priceless.

My Week Without Decisions

There’s no cell service or Wi-Fi at camp, just lots of time amongst the trees and in the lake and pool. This was the first year we’ve won the lottery, and it was a magical week. Our 8-year-old loved the freedom of the camp. He clipped his walkie-talkie to his bike and off he went! As for us adults, there was a lot of chatting, laughing, lounging, and just hanging out.

One of the great things about Mather is that the camp’s staff takes care of all of the food. I was surprised by the weight that lifted when I didn’t have to think about, shop for, and prepare what our family ate. It was refreshing to skip those decisions!

Why We’re So Tired: Decision Fatigue at Work

Decision fatigue is a real thing, and it’s not just exhausting us at home. It’s also creeping into our workdays. In an interview with the American Medical Association, Dr. Lisa MacLean shared that, “by the time the average person goes to bed, they’ve made over 35,000 decisions.”

Former President Obama and other leaders have shared that they rotate between just one or two outfits to help limit the decisions they make every day. I’ve noticed decision fatigue in my own life, too—if I have to make a lot of small decisions, I have less energy for the really important ones.

Tips to Beat Decision Fatigue (at Work and at Home)

Now that I’m back to my daily routine, I’m looking for ways to free up mind space so that I can hang on to that calm from Camp Mather. I already wear limited outfits (last week, when I was wearing my typical jeans, black T-shirt, and gray sweater, my 4-year-old told me, “Mama, you always wear that!”). But now I might try meal planning at the beginning of the week, too, because deciding on dinner in the moment feels taxing.

If you want to reduce your decision load, you could also add more lists to your routine. In prep for our trip last week, we wrote down a packing list that made packing a lot easier. Learning to delegate more tasks is also helpful. Focus on the decisions that are truly necessary for your role (in your family or at work) and let others make the rest.

Not Seeing Results? Take a Break!

Going away last week was also an important reminder that we all need real breaks. In a time when we can work from almost anywhere (there was Wi-Fi about a mile away from the camp), sometimes we just shouldn’t. My time away didn’t open my mind to any epiphanies or bring me radical new thoughts about work, but it did ground me. When I got back to the office yesterday, I didn’t feel as overwhelmed as I often do after a vacation. I felt like I asked better questions, and my mind was clearer.

If decision fatigue at work is weighing you down, try removing one or two friction points or taking a few days away from the office. Whether you unwind in a cabin near Yosemite, a lounge chair at the Jersey Shore, or a hotel room in Chicago, it’s important to give yourself space away from the daily grind.

If you can’t get away, even short breaks have real benefits. The FruitGuys’ Take a Breather on Demand service can help you integrate those breaks into your workday. And if your office gets farm-fresh fruit or snack delivery from us, you can also enjoy our weekly guided microbreaks for free.

I’ll admit that I’m already daydreaming about next summer—looking forward to another week of fewer decisions, more family and friend time, and lots and lots of dirt!