Making decisions under normal circumstances can already be tough, but making decisions under stress can be even tougher. Stress can cloud our ability to think rationally and can lead to common pitfalls that we should all be aware of in order to make the right decisions. In this blog, we’ll explore the psychology of decision-making under stress and give you tips on how to avoid falling into common traps.

The Effects of Stress on Decision-Making 🧠

When we’re under stress, our brains release cortisol, a hormone that can affect our ability to make decisions. Cortisol can increase our emotional response, cloud our judgement, and even impair our memory recall, making it harder to think clearly. That is why it’s important to recognize how stress affects our decision-making and how to take steps to overcome it.

A person sweating and holding their head overwhelmed

Recognizing Cognitive Biases 🤔

Cognitive biases are automatic thought patterns that can lead to irrational decision-making. When under stress, we tend to rely on these biases more heavily. It’s important to recognize them and take a step back to ensure that we’re not making decisions based solely on our emotions or biases. Here are a few common cognitive biases to be aware of:

  • Confirmation Bias - the tendency to seek out information that supports our pre-existing beliefs while ignoring information that challenges them.
  • Anchoring Bias - the tendency to rely too heavily on the first piece of information we receive when making a decision.
  • Hindsight Bias - the tendency to believe that we knew something all along, after an event has taken place.

A person pulling their own strings attached to their hands as they try to make a decision

Identifying Goals and Priorities 🎯

When making decisions under stress, it’s important to identify what our goals and priorities are. When we’re overwhelmed, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important and make decisions that don’t align with our long-term goals. That’s why we need to take a step back, assess our situation, and make sure that the decisions we make are in line with the bigger picture.

A person standing on top of a hill overlooking a city, contemplating their goals

Weighing Risks and Costs 🤑

When making decisions under stress, it’s important to weigh the risks and costs. We need to analyze the potential consequences of our decisions, and whether or not they are worth the risks involved. Taking the time to consider all of our options and their potential outcomes can help us make better, more informed decisions.

A person with a calculator, weighing the costs and benefits of different decisions

Utilizing External Resources 🌍

When we’re under stress, it’s easy to isolate ourselves and try to solve our problems on our own. However, utilizing external resources, like friends, family, and colleagues, can help us make better decisions. Seeking out advice and different perspectives can help us see our situation more clearly and lead to better outcomes.

A person reaching out to shake hands with another and asking for help

Conclusion 🎉

Making decisions under stress is never easy, but by understanding how stress affects our decision-making and recognizing common pitfalls, we can take steps to overcome them. Identifying our goals, weighing risks and costs, and utilizing external resources can all help us make better, more informed decisions. By taking the time to think things through and not letting our emotions dictate our choices, we can make the right decisions even when under pressure.

A person sitting with their hands on their chin, feeling accomplished after making a good decision