In this episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast, Robbins tackles the phenomenon of decision fatigue and how it adversely impacts our evening routines and sleep quality. She introduces the concept of "revenge bedtime procrastination" and its harmful effects.
To combat decision fatigue, Robbins presents a 5-step evening routine to help listeners start each day recharged and in control. This routine involves establishing an optimal bedtime, clearing clutter to reduce mental burden, preparing for the next day to minimize morning decisions, practicing self-care before bedtime, and separating from electronics to ensure quality sleep. Robbins also emphasizes the importance of prioritizing self-care in the evenings after catering to others throughout the day.
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Mel Robbins discusses the phenomenon of decision fatigue—the mental exhaustion that results from making over 35,000 decisions per day and having one's energy depleted. Decision fatigue causes symptoms like procrastination, impulsivity, avoidance, and indecision.
Decision fatigue in the evenings leads to staying up late watching TV or scrolling through phones instead of sleeping, according to Robbins. She introduces the concept of "revenge bedtime procrastination"—delaying sleep to reclaim personal time, resulting in less sleep which makes the next day harder.
Robbins suggests calculating your bedtime by deciding your wake-up time and working backward by nine hours to ensure quality eight-hour sleep cycles.
Streamlining tasks like clearing counters and putting away clothes reduces visual clutter and mental burden, Robbins says.
Robbins recommends preparing for the next day—laying out clothes, making breakfast/lunch—to minimize morning decisions and preserve energy.
She encourages taking five calming "me time" minutes before bed to signal your body it's time to wind down for restful sleep.
Robbins advises separating from your phone before bed by placing it in another room to reduce exposure to blue light and avoid mindless scrolling instead of sleeping.
Robbins stresses the importance of high-quality sleep, citing studies linking lack of sleep to depression, diabetes, heart issues, and disrupted circadian rhythms.
She explains that preparing the night before—clearing clutter, easing tasks, and self-care—reduces morning stress and fatigue, allowing one to start the day organized, rested, and in control to boost productivity.
Robbins emphasizes focusing on yourself during the evening routine after a day spent catering to others. She encourages avoiding distractions to create a calming space and take time for self-reflection and prioritizing well-being through self-care activities like the five-minute wind-down.
1-Page Summary
Mel Robbins discusses the phenomenon of decision fatigue, its symptoms, and its impact on our ability to maintain evening routines and get adequate sleep.
Robbins describes feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or weary in the evenings after a long day spent making decisions and taking care of others. According to Dr. Lisa MacLean, by bedtime, the average person has made over 35,000 decisions which contribute to mental exhaustion. The result is decision fatigue—a state where individuals want to do nothing, avoid further activity, or refrain from making more decisions.
The collective strain of the tens of thousands of decisions a person makes throughout the day depletes their mental reserves. This phenomenon is cumulative, worsening as more decisions are made.
There are four main symptoms of decision fatigue: procrastination, impulsivity, avoidance, and indecision. Robbins points out that this mental exhaustion leads to procrastination on simple tasks like folding laundry, impulsive indulgences such as eating ice cream directly from the carton, and avoidance of activities that require decision-making, like mindlessly scrolling through one's phone. Indecision is particularly destructive in the evening, leading to hours spent browsing without choosing anything to watch.
Robbins notes that decision fatigue in the evenings leads to procrastination when it comes to bedtime, which results in staying up late watching TV or scrolling through phones instead of sleeping.
This behavior is compounded by the effects of blue light from screens that suppress melatonin and the "doom scrolling" that keeps the brain engaged, both of which make it hard to fall asleep. Even having a phone nearby affects the quali ...
Decision Fatigue and Its Impact on Evening Routines
Mel Robbins presents a five-step evening routine designed to reclaim the evening and combat "revenge bedtime procrastination."
To ensure quality sleep, Robbins suggests calculating your bedtime by deciding your wake-up time and working backward by nine hours. She emphasizes the importance of picking a consistent bedtime to get the full benefits of eight hours of sleep.
Robbins compares cleaning up your space to flushing the toilet—it’s essential for starting fresh the next day. Streamlining tasks such as clearing counters, doing dishes, and putting away clothes can drastically reduce stress and set a positive tone for the day.
By preparing for the next day in advance—laying out clothes, preparing breakfast, and packing lunch—you'll make your morning routine smoother. Robbins lays out her exercise clothes and fills a water bottle the night before to minimize morning decisions and conserve energy for more important tasks.
Robbins encourages taking five minutes for yourself before bed, which can be spent running a bath, making tea, journaling, or ...
The 5-Step Evening Routine to Combat Decision Fatigue
Robbins discusses the critical role of high-quality sleep for health and daily functioning, as well as the impact of nightly routines on the next day’s success.
Robbins stresses that getting high-quality sleep is essential for making empowering decisions in the morning, hinting at the broader health implications of poor sleep quality on our lives.
Research published in Harvard Health Publishing has shown that shortened sleep cycles are linked to an increased risk of depression, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems. Robbins echoes these findings, emphasizing the need for adequate sleep to avoid such health issues.
Robbins also implies that a consistent sleep schedule can lead to faster and deeper sleep, which suggests a beneficial impact on circadian rhythms.
The importance of preparing the night before is crucial as Robbins explains that it can profoundly reduce stress and enable us to start the day organized and focused.
Addressing clutter and tasks as part of a wind-down routine at night leads to starting the day without additional stress or fatigue, Robbins notes. Completing simple evening tasks, like putting away cutlery and dishes, and turning off lights before setting o ...
Sleep and Next Day Preparation
An effective evening routine can help reclaim time and attention for yourself, resulting in better mental and physical well-being.
Robbins emphasizes the importance of focusing on yourself during your evening routine. After a day spent catering to work, family, and various other responsibilities, the evening offers the perfect opportunity for self-reflection and taking time back for yourself. Engaging in a wind-down routine signals to the body, mind, and nervous system that it's time to relax and can counter decision fatigue by providing the much-needed mental break.
Robbins encourages listeners to avoid phone use and other distractions at night, stressing the significance of reclaiming evenings for oneself. By doing so, you can create a space for calming activities and self-reflection, capitalizing on this chance to prioritize your wellbeing.
Taking time during your evening routine to engage in self-care activities conveys the message, "I matter." Such actions promote the notion that rest, sleep, and feeling good are essential, reinforcing the significance of personal well-being. Robbins suggest ...
Putting Yourself First In the Evenings
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