You’ve been putting in long hours at the office, working weekends and sacrificing time with your family and friends to get a job done.
As the pressure mounts, your stress levels start to soar. You find yourself feeling irritable, short-tempered, and overwhelmed. You start to make decisions without fully considering all of the available information, rushing to get things done and moving on to the next task as quickly as possible.
One day, you’re reviewing a pitch for a report with your team. You’re so stressed and distracted that you fail to notice a critical flaw in the strategy.
As a result, your report flopped. Your client is dissatisfied. It’s only later, when you’ve had a chance to step back and reflect, that you realize how much your stress levels have impacted your ability to make sound decisions and work effectively with your team.
We all experience stress from time to time, and it can have a major impact on our decision-making abilities. When we are stressed, our ability to think rationally and make informed decisions is compromised. This can lead to impulsive or risky behavior that can have negative consequences.
The Impact of Stress on Decision Making
Stress can have both physical and psychological effects on the body. When we are stressed, our body releases cortisol, which is a hormone that can affect our mood, memory, and decision-making abilities. Cortisol can cause us to feel anxious, which can lead to impulsive decision-making.
Stress can also affect our cognitive abilities, making it difficult to process information and think logically. When we are stressed, we are more likely to make decisions based on emotion rather than reason.
The Link Between Stress and Bad Decisions
Research has shown that stress can have a direct impact on the decisions we make. One study found that people who were stressed were more likely to make risky decisions, even when they knew the potential consequences.
Another study found that stress can cause us to focus too much on the negative aspects of a decision, making it harder to see the positive outcomes. This can lead to indecision or making a decision based on fear rather than logic.
How to Avoid Making Bad Decisions Under Stress?
If you find yourself in a stressful situation and need to make a decision, there are steps you can take to avoid making a bad decision:
1. Take a Step Back:
When you are feeling stressed, it can be helpful to take a step back from the situation and give yourself time to calm down. Take a few deep breaths or go for a walk to clear your head.
2. Seek Support:
Talk to someone you trust about the situation and get their perspective. They may be able to offer insight that you haven’t considered.
3. Gather Information:
Make sure you have all the information you need before coming to a decision. This can help you make a more informed decision and feel more confident about your choice.
4. Consider the Consequences:
Think about the potential consequences of your decision and how they will affect you and others. This can help you make a decision that is in line with your values and goals.
5. Practice Self-Care:
Taking care of yourself can help reduce stress and improve your decision-making abilities. Get enough sleep, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet.
Stress can have a major impact on our decision-making abilities, but it doesn’t have to lead to bad decisions. By taking steps to reduce stress and making informed decisions, we can avoid choosing impulsive or risky choices that can have negative consequences. Remember to take care of yourself and seek support when you need it, and you’ll be able to make better decisions under stress.
Shirley Therapeutic and Consulting Services, LLC, is a diverse therapy clinic that can meet the needs of anyone. If you’d like to talk about your mental health, feel free to message us. In case of emergency or thoughts of suicide, please click on this link: https://www.sprc.org/states/georgia
References:
Hengen, K. M., & Alpers, G. W. (2021, January 5). Stress makes the difference: Social Stress and social anxiety in decision-making under uncertainty. Frontiers. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.578293/full
Porcelli, A. J., & Delgado, M. R. (2017, April). Stress and decision making: Effects on valuation, learning, and risk-taking. Current opinion in behavioral sciences. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5201132/
Wemm, S. E., & Wulfert, E. (2017, March). Effects of acute stress on decision making. Applied psychophysiology and biofeedback. Retrieved March 28, 2023, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5346059/
