# 8 Signs of Decision Fatigue and How to Cope - Author: **Cleveland Clinic** - Document Tags: [[decision fatigue]] - [URL link](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/decision-fatigue)  ## Highlights - Signs and symptoms of decision fatigue ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hy787bh3mrrh2asdfb0s52fg)) --- - Remember: Decision fatigue is an acute (short-lived) experience. If you’re experiencing these symptoms every day, then something else more chronic may be going on. ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hy7882vw6bz9ha17jz5mzwgd)) --- - • **Procrastination or decision avoidance.** If you forget the vet appointment, you won’t have to decide whether to move forward with that expensive surgery … right? Putting decisions off — or avoiding certain people or situations altogether — is one of the most common responses to decision fatigue. You might be procrastinating without even realizing it! • **Impulsivity.** If you’ve been making complex decisions all day, you could find yourself being less careful about other choices you have to make: [Stopping at the drive-thru you usually drive by](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-stop-stress-eating/). Spending *way* too much money shopping online. Overlooking an obvious [cognitive bias](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/cognitive-bias/). Calling that ex when you *absolutely* know better. Impulsivity can take a wide range of forms — and have a wide range of consequences. • **Exhaustion.** Decision fatigue can be physically, mentally and emotionally taxing. So, it wouldn’t be surprising for a person with decision fatigue to be desperate for [a nap](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/napping-3-proven-health-benefits/) or [a good cry](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/benefits-of-crying/). • **Brain fog.** Are you suddenly having trouble finishing your … sentences? Has your train of thought left the station? Do you keep forgetting names or get distracted when people are trying to talk to you? Decision fatigue might be causing your [brain fog](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/brain-fog/). • **[Irritability](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/irritability/).** Did you just bite your best friend’s head off for asking where you want to go for lunch tomorrow? Yeah, you might have decision fatigue. • **Overwhelmed.** Are you starting to feel like there’s no room left in your head — much less your schedule — for everything you’re juggling? [Getting overwhelmed](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/brain-overload-5-tricks-to-stop-feeling-so-overwhelmed/) is an issue in and of itself, but it can also signal decision fatigue. • **[Regret](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/dealing-with-regrets/) or dissatisfaction.** If you made the choice, but you’re still ruminating about it hours later and questioning the call you made, it could be the result of decision fatigue. • **Physical discomfort.** The stress of making a difficult decision can cause a wide range of physical symptoms, from [tension headaches](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-you-get-headaches-and-where/) and [eye twitching](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/why-you-have-that-pesky-eye-twitch-and-when-to-seek-help/) to [nausea](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/what-is-stress-nausea-and-how-to-deal-with-it/) and [other tummy troubles](https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-stop-nervous-poops/). ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hy787w4pavccsqrjmg5zvxzq)) --- - “You’ll probably feel better after a day or so and be able to get back to your regular level of functioning.” ([View Highlight](https://read.readwise.io/read/01hy788mdv1wqe5vdht3y89skx)) ---