Recently I came across an online yoga class, were a particularly module focuses on decision fatigue and how yoga can help manage it. It sparked my curiosity and this is what I found in my small research.
· What Is Decision Fatigue?
According to psychotherapist Natacha Duke, decision fatigue is a phenomenon where the more decisions a person makes over the course of a day, the more physically, mentally and emotionally depleted they become.
o Common signs and symptoms are
§ Procrastination or decision avoidance.
§ Impulsivity.
§ Exhaustion
§ Overwhelming
§ Dissatisfaction
§ Physical signs like headache, nausea, eye twitching etc
Decision fatigue mainly affects executive functions, such as reasoning, decision-making, memory, learning, reaction time, and accuracy.
· How yoga can help combat decision fatigue
o It is proven that 30-minute moderate exercise with 3-minute walking break every half hour can improve executive function.
o Yoga is like weightlifting for the brain as it strengthens parts of the brain that helps in memory, attention, awareness, thought, and language.
o It clams overactive prefrontal cortex of the brain and helps brain cells develop new connections, and changes occur in brain structure as well as function, resulting in improved cognitive skills such as learning, memory and executive functions.
o Though all exercises help lower stress hormones and boost feel good hormones and bring more oxygenated blood to the brain. Yoga affect mood by elevating Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA), which is associated with better mood and decreased anxiety.
o Yoga and music are found to be most effective for both depression and anxiety. And yoga appeared to provide the longest-lasting effect.
I think our ancient sages had already crack the code for stress management.
What are your thoughts on it ?
MBH/PS