Making big decisions wears a body down. It can eat away at our energy as we fuss and fume over the uncertainty. We burn our selective attention on “The Problem” and have very little left over for the rest of our life. These physical effects are generally short-term and are more annoying than life-changing. But they can affect the quality of the process we use as well as the actual choice we make. Therefore, it is important that we take care of our physical well-being when we are struggling with a difficult decision.
One of the first physical casualties of a decision-making process is our sleep. I have known a few folks whose sleep was not disturbed by the choices they were making. But many struggle to “turn off” the brain so that they can fall asleep. Others report that they wake up between 3-5 AM with a great idea and then cannot get back to sleep. Some folks wake up too early pondering the problem and just give up trying to go back to sleep. The end results for these folks are lost sleep and a weariness that will carry over the next day.
A second casualty is that we may become distracted from our daily Self-Care. The bigger the concern, the more overwhelming our anxiety. This anxiety causes us to focus our energy on the problem. Unfortunately, our attention only comes in a limited quantity. To increase our focus on some things means we have to ignore or disregard others. Often, we disregard the concerns that seem less important in the short-term. We may skip meals or grab some junk food between meetings. We may load up on carbs and bad fats (read doughnuts and sodas) to get us through the afternoon, not realizing that they can make us even more sleepy. We may skip a medication that makes us drowsy believing we need to be “up” and going. We may even revert to “college days” and pull an all-nighter to get it done. Short-sighted Self-Care seldom works out to our benefit.
A third casualty may be our physical health. A lack of sleep and poor self-care can weaken the body’s immune system and make us more susceptible of the virus du jour. Studies show that sleep produces chemical changes in our bodies that enable us to fight of many of the common viruses. Eating “bad fats” can also lower our immunity. These are more likely found in fried and packaged foods. Most of us can likely recall letting ourselves run down and then catching a cold or the flu. A friend of mine is convinced that minor infections like colds are the body’s way of slowing us down so that we can get the rest we need.
It is important that we continue to take care of our body when we have difficult choices to make. It will see us through the most difficult time as long as we rest well, eat right, and pay attention when our body is telling us that something is wrong.
TIPS
Bedside Notepad
Keep a small notepad and pen at your bedside. You can also use the Notes App on your phone as long as you can resist to the temptation of taking a quick peek at FB or your email. When a thought keeps you awake or wakes you up in the middle of the night, reach for the notepad and jot it down. This allows you to go back to sleep without worrying about whether you will remember this “great idea” in the morning. Having the notepad within reach also allows you to rest well knowing that if something comes up, all you have to do is reach over and record it.
Eat Light
A second tip is to avoid the heavy, sleep-inducing meals that you may be accustomed to in ordinary times. One doughnut may boost your energy during a meeting. But a tray-full will put you to sleep. Eat light with a focus on nut oils rather than lard or cooking oils. Make sure your plate has a good supply of fresh vegetables and a lesser amount of animal proteins. Stay away from sugary treats and go with fruit or nuts for a desert or treat.
Exercise
Finally, when you feel the weight of the decision pressing down on your shoulders, get up and take a walk. Get some fresh air and allow yourself to escape the process for a while. Stepping away allows you body to regain some of its focus and help you sort out what is important from what may simply be a product of your physical weariness.
Take care of yourself and your body when you are dealing with difficult choices. It will not only help you make a better response, it will leave you with the energy you may need to follow through one the choice is made.