Does Stress Make You Make Worse Decisions?

There is no denying that making decisions can be very exhausting, especially when you have to choose between multiple options… Or why do you think it is so difficult for you to choose that movie on your favorite streaming platform?

And there is an interesting point worth talking about: deciding generates stress; In turn, stress makes it difficult for you to make good decisions. This ends up being a seemingly endless cycle, but believe us there is a solution.

So, Does stress make you make worse decisions? Many times yes. In this article we will investigate the relationship between stress and the ability to make decisions and how you can make better choices.

What science says about stress and decisions

Stress has a profound impact on our ability to make decisions. In fact, there is a very interesting study published in 2016 by a journal from the Universidad del Rosario (Colombia) that explains that stress affects key cognitive functions, such as attention and the evaluation of options. This can make us more impulsive or even unable to decide.

Furthermore, the researchers of this study also propose that stress can create a vicious cycle in which making bad decisions generates more stress, which further complicates future decision processes.

Furthermore, long before that, at the beginning of the 2000s, with the aim of dismantling the idea that “the more options the better”; Psychologists Sheena Iyengar and Mark Leeper showed that the abundance of options can be overwhelming.

They managed to support this idea with an experiment in which they confirmed that when shoppers in a supermarket had fewer jam options (six versus 24), they made decisions more easily and with greater satisfaction. This phenomenon, known as the “paradox of choice,” suggests that having too many alternatives can create anxiety and paralyze us.

Over the years, hundreds of studies have supported this idea that the more options we have, the more stress we have about having to make decisions. In fact, This level of uncertainty increases anxiety and complicates not only momentous decisions, but also the simplest choices.

Stress: An enemy of good decisions

Ok, you see that it has been confirmed many times that making decisions generates stress, now it is time to know why stress makes us make worse decisions.

Stress affects our decision making because it puts us in a state of constant alert, and in that state, our brain is more focused on protecting ourselves than on thinking clearly.

When we get stressed, the amygdala is activated, which is the part of the brain that responds to fear. This causes us to think about risk before opportunities and react more impulsively or, sometimes, avoid deciding altogether. although it is not a determining decision for the visa.

Additionally, stress reduces activity in the prefrontal cortex, which is the area that helps us plan, evaluate options, and choose what is best for us. So, under stress, our mind is drawn to problems and obstacles, instead of inviting us to calmly analyze our options.

Why is this happening? Possible reasons

There are several reasons why making decisions generates so much stress for us. Here are some:

Better decisions, less stress: some keys

Improving the way you decide starts with learning to manage stress. By doing so, not only will you feel more in control, but your decisions will also be more aligned with what you really want.

Here are some simple tips to get you started:

Narrow down your options

It seems cliché, but it’s true: less is more. If you have too many alternatives, simplify. For example, if you have to go to an event and you don’t know how to dress, choose between two options that you already know you feel good in and that are appropriate for the occasion, this way you will avoid being caught by indecision.

take a break

If you’re feeling a lot of pressure, don’t rush; Instead, breathe, take a walk, or change the environment. Pauses help you think calmly and clearly.

Define your objectives

Being clear about what you want makes everything easier. Instead of vague goals, set concrete objectives, such as “spend 15% of my income toward my next trip.” This guides you to know what to spend, what to invest in and how much to save.

What is this for? Well, this way you will have peace of mind and you will not find yourself immobile before your next purchase, for example.

Avoid overanalyzing

If you are an overthinker, this message is for you: Thinking too much only increases anxiety. When you feel like you’re stuck making a decision, set a time limit. Decide to spend 30 minutes on it and then act with what you have.

Automate the simple

It’s not all about gigantic choices: small decisions can also drain you of a lot of energy. That’s why when you simplify things as simple as clothes, meals, or repetitive tasks at work, you’ll be opening up mental space for what matters.

Take care of yourself

This is advice that your grandmother or your mother would give you… and so would we: sleep well, try to eat healthy and exercise. As simple as they may seem, these actions strengthen your mind and help prevent stress from winning the game.

talk to someone

Staying locked in your head is almost never the best option. Sometimes all you need is to express what you think with someone who understands you.

Talk to someone close to you to clarify your ideas; Even if they don’t give you an answer, it will help you release the pressure. If the stress you feel is too much, too you can turn to a mental health professional.

Finally, keep in mind that the goal is not to completely eliminate stress from your life, but to manage it so that it does not get in the way of your decisions. Which of these strategies are you going to start with?