13. The Science Of Decision Fatigue with Neuroscientist Dr Shawn Watson

Feeling overwhelmed by too many decisions? You’re not alone—decision fatigue is real, and it's affecting your productivity, relationships, and mental health more than you realize.

In this insightful episode of Decisions That Count, neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and co-host Michelle O’Brien unpack the science behind decision fatigue, exploring why your brain struggles under cognitive overload and what you can do about it.

🔍 Here's What You'll Learn:

• The real, physiological reasons behind decision fatigue (spoiler: it's more than just being tired!)

• How modern life—social media, endless scrolling, and constant multitasking—is taxing your brain

• Why high-stakes decision-makers, from CEOs to doctors and parents, are especially vulnerable

• Simple, powerful strategies to reduce cognitive load and improve decision-making quality

• Why habits and quality sleep are your secret weapons against cognitive exhaustion

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:20 Understanding Decision Fatigue

03:11 The Impact of Decision Fatigue on Daily Life

06:02 Consequences of Decision Fatigue

08:48 Decision Fatigue in High-Stakes Situations

12:13 The Role of Decision Load in Relationships

14:57 Physiological Basis of Decision Fatigue

18:00 Mechanisms Behind Decision Fatigue

21:01 Strategies to Combat Decision Fatigue

23:58 Building Resilience Against Decision Fatigue

27:01 The Future of Decision Fatigue Research

Whether you’re a gamer, entrepreneur, athlete, student, or busy parent, this conversation provides practical, science-backed tools to reclaim your mental clarity, boost your productivity, and make better choices every day.

🧠 Hosted by neuroscientist Dr. Shawn Watson and marketer-mum-marathoner Michelle, Decisions That Count explores how science-backed insights can help you overcome decision fatigue and unlock peak performance.

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✨ Like what you heard?

✅ Subscribe to Decisions That Count for weekly episodes that empower you to beat decision fatigue and unlock peak performance. 💬 Drop your questions in the comments — we’ll get Dr. Cheryl to answer them!

💡 If you found this episode helpful, like, comment, and subscribe. Share it with someone who could use a reset on how they make decisions. Let’s build better brains together—one choice at a time.

#DecisionFatigue #TradingPsychology #CognitiveOverload #PeakPerformance #Mindfulness #FinancePodcast #Biohacking #PreDecisions #MentalClarity #Neuroscience #EmotionalResilience #DecisionsThatCount

Keywords: decision fatigue, neuroscience, cognitive load, mental health, decision making, productivity, brain science, emotional load, decision avoidance, decision making strategies