14 Ways On How to Overcome Decision Fatigue For Moms
What’s for dinner? Who’s picking up my oldest from soccer practice? Did I schedule the kid’s dentist appointments yet? Does this sound like your Mom Brain? You and every other mom! Here are 14 ways to overcome decision fatigue for moms and get some mental clarity.
Moms have a lot on their plate. One of the most common challenges faced by moms today is decision fatigue.
3 reasons Why Mom Brain Happens
1. All of the daily decisions
Big decisions, small decisions, the never ending to-do list, so much mental energy is required to keep up with all of these decisions.
2. It’s not just your load you carry, it’s everyone else’s too
In a normal day, moms have to keep track of kids, their schedules, activities, plus you may be a working mom responsible for more then just kids, and the household, it can add up quick!
3. You are exhausted
Did we mention that you are tired when trying to manage all of these things? I talk more about exhaustion and sleep below (a must read!)
Signs That You’re Experiencing Decision Fatigue
You are experiencing decision fatigue if you find yourself feeling:
- Overwhelmed
- Stressed
- Irritable
- Unable to concentrate
- Experiencing decision paralysis
- Making impulsive choices
- Difficulty sleeping
But good news, you can overcome decision fatigue with these 14 tips!
14 Hacks To Overcome Decision Fatigue For Moms
1. Recognize your signs of Mom Burnout
Your signs may be different from another mom, and that’s ok. Each person and mom has different thresholds and limits. One mom may be a more active and type A person, which allows them to complete more day to day tasks or take on more extracurricular activities with their kids.
Your journey is personal and not someone else’s, so stop comparing your mom journey to other moms and focus on what you can handle and what is best for your own mom journey.
By recognizing and identifying your triggers that cause decision fatigue, you then will be able to find ways to avoid or manage them. It could be as simple as blocking out distractions while working or delegating tasks to others.
Or maybe it’s the grocery store and you need to switch to online grocery shopping. I am a huge advocate of switching to online grocery shopping. One time I went to the grocery store with four young toddlers and twin babies and that one experience almost killed me. So I gave it up and made the switch. Best decision I ever made!
2. Plan Ahead
The best way to avoid decision fatigue is to plan ahead and eliminate the number of decisions you will need to make on a daily basis in your week or day up front.
This will allow you to make fewer decisions throughout the week. Get ahead of the game and be proactive, and make the decision before it’s even presented.
5:00pm witching hour, is never the time to try and make a dinner decision. We know this as moms, but often our lack of planning ends up causing us our biggest frustration and grief.
Each week I eliminate decision fatigue with my Sunday Reset Routine. It’s the perfect way to plan for the week and avoid decision fatigue. Plus, I have a free checklist that is available for download, so check it out!
My husband is home to help with the kids, so I can solely focus on planning out our week, we have a family meeting to get everyone on board and I use my decision-making energy then to get all of the big and small decisions out of the way.
I also try to make as many decision as needed early in the morning, front load the decisions, instead of waiting till later in the day when I’m mentally exhausted and tired.
3. Prioritize
Prioritizing your tasks is essential for reducing decision fatigue. Determine which tasks are most important and focus on those first. This will help you stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Don’t make long list of 10+ items on your to-do list every day. You most likely will not be realistically able to get all of the done. Just seeing a long to-do list can lead to mom burn out and fatigue.
Instead, write dow 3-5 SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, time sensitive) tasks that you can complete for that day.
4. Introduce Sleep Schedules
Sleep schedules are important not only for your kids, but for you as mom or parent too. We all need sleep and quickly will feel short tempered, agitated and unmotivated without the proper required sleep in our day.
To avoid mom burn out and decision fatigue, you need to be well rested. Intoroducting sleep schedules, or sleep training for your kids is step one to everyone getting a good night’s sleep.
With four kids, a set of twins, I introduced sleep schedules when all of my kids were infants and it has single handily been one of the best decisions we have made as parents. We have amazing sleepers, our kids of a morning and evening bedtime routine, and our day is better because of it.
Getting enough sleep is crucial for reducing decision fatigue. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night to help you stay alert and focused during the day.
5. Start Routines, Rhythms & Habits
Little things add up. And that couldn’t be more true in being a mom. The big things we can usually handle and plan for, but it’s the little decisions that can quickly take you down in Motherhood.
I use routines, rhythms, and habits to handle all of the little day to day decisions.
It’s like auto-pilot.
Have you ever checked out while driving and next thing you know you are at your house in your garage but you have no idea how you actually got here? Kinda scary, right? But we’ve all experienced this. You have done that route home so many times that your brain knew how to do it without you being fully aware.
Routines are just like. I love to use routines for most of the household responsibilities. Laundry, dishes, house cleaning. I create routines, consistently stick to them so they become habit forming and then I use LESS of my brain’s energy to complete these task.
Related: 13 Important Daily Routines for Moms
6. Declutter
A cluttered environment can be a major cause of decision fatigue. Declutter your home and workspace to reduce distractions and help you stay focused.
“A study conducted by Princeton University Neuroscience researchers found that a cluttered home environment impedes your ability to focus. When we have a hard time focusing, our mental faculties get worn down and frustration ensues, causing stress.” stated Organized Interiors
Related: 6 steps to simplify your home with decluttering and organizing
7. Take Breaks
Taking breaks throughout the day can help increase productivity and reduce decision fatigue. Go for a walk, meditate, or take a power nap to recharge your batteries.
You can’t pour from an empty cup.
Related: 7 Important Self Care Items for Busy Moms – Do these daily!
8. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a great way to reduce anxiety and decision fatigue. Practice deep breathing or meditation to clear your mind and help you make better decisions.
I also feel reading inspiration mom quotes can give me the encouragement and extra push I need to keep taking the next step forward.
Related Post: Exhausted Tired Mom Quotes to help moms feel seen and understood
9. Delegate Tasks
Delegating tasks to others can help reduce your workload and prevent decision fatigue. Let your partner or children help with household tasks or outsource if possible.
I know many feel outsourcing, whether it be for a house cleaner or babysitting, can feel like a privilege. But I believe it is needed more than ever for moms, especially stay-at-home moms.
The mental load moms are carrying and the increase in mental health, is something to take seriously.
I know first hand how helpful (and at times life saving) it has been for me to have a house cleaner or a nanny come in for a few hours a week. Raising four small children, 2 toddlers and a set of twins (all under the age of 3), would have been unwise to try and do it all on my own.
My own mental health would definitely have been impacted.
Related: Why Moms Should Not feel guilty about hiring a house cleaner and how it is possible to afford one
10. Automate Decisions
Automating certain decisions can help reduce decision fatigue. For example, set up auto-pay for bills or use a meal delivery service to simplify meal planning.
I love HomeChef and have used the meal delivery service for years! Hands down best decision and worth every penny I spend.
I hate cooking (I’m very vocal and honest about this) and it was really affecting me trying to plan meals for my large family of 6. Plus, my husband is very heart conscience in the foods we eat, since heard disease is on both sides of his family (and mine as well).
So we try to eat healthy, which can take more time, effort and planning. HomeChef has been the perfect choice for our family.
Related: 5 Meal Planning Hacks – How I save HOURS Each week
11. Choose Quality Over Quantity
Focusing on quality over quantity can help reduce decision fatigue. Instead of trying to do everything, choose a few high-priority tasks to focus on each day.
12. Simplify
Simplifying your life can help reduce decision fatigue. Simplify your wardrobe by sticking to a few key pieces or simplify your home by decluttering. Less stuff you have, means less stuff you will have to manage and less decisions you will need to make about the stuff you have.
More is not always better.
13. Practice Saying No
Learning to say no is an important skill for reducing decision fatigue. Don’t feel guilty about prioritizing your own needs and learning to say no when you’re overwhelmed.
14. Take Care of Your Emotional Health
When did you last experience decision fatigue?
In the course of a single day, most moms experience decision fatigue several times all in different ways based on the 35,000 decisions most adults make daily.
Not one person is the same, so it is important to recognize your triggers and start taking steps to reduce your decision fatigue with these 14 simple strategies.
Being a good mom isn’t just about making the right choices for your kids—it’s about taking care of you too.
Remember, taking care of yourself is essential for being the best mom you can be. So start by implementing these strategies today and see the difference they can make in your life.
What is Mom Brain and Decision Fatigue?
You might be wondering, what does the term decision fatigue mean? Especially in moms.
As a mom, every day there are new challenges and with each challenge comes a thousand decisions that need to be made. Whether it’s what to pack for lunch or what bedtime story to read, moms make numerous decisions every day.
With so many decisions to make, it’s no wonder that moms often feel mentally exhausted. This feeling of mental exhaustion is known as decision fatigue.
Decision fatigue in moms is a real thing and can lead to a phenomenon referred to as “mom brain.”
Mom brain is the sense of forgetfulness or brain fog that many moms feel as a result of being mentally drained from constantly making decisions.
Did this just describe you?
For awhile I thought it was a “me problem”. with four kids, a set of twins, I often thought the problem was me, and I wasn’t capable of being a good mom or handling all of the “mom things”. Have you thought that?
Turns out, it’s a psychological concept that clinical psychologist are spending more time researching to understand. It’s becoming a big deal! You are not the problem!
Why Does Mom Brain Happen?
As a new mom, you may have heard the term “mom brain” thrown around quite a bit. But why does it happen?
Most common reason, it’s a result of decision fatigue in moms.
On a regular basis, from the moment we wake up till the end of the day, we’re making countless decisions for ourselves and everyone else.
All of these decisions can add up, leaving us feeling mentally exhausted and forgetful. So, the next time you walk into a room and forget why you went there in the first place, remember that it’s not a sign of a failing memory— it’s just mom brain kicking in!
And, it doesn’t just have to be bigger decisions, significant decisions or important decisions, that can lead to decision fatigue. In a recent article, research shows that it’s the constant of all types of decision making that leads to fatigue.
Do you feel overstimulated as a mom? Overstimulation is another very common challenge with being a mom. Check out these 15 Hacks For Coping With Overstimulation As a Mom.
This post was all about overcoming decision fatigue in moms.
I would love to hear from you, leave a comment, and share your favorite tip below.
