Daily meditation can help with decision-making, here’s how

Should I major in journalism in college or is English literature a better fit for me? Should I take that new job offer or stick to my current role? Should I move to a new city or stay close to home? Decisions, decisions. Well, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the choices we are presented with, especially when it seems like each option carries its own special advantages as well as disadvantages. Right?

Finding ourselves stuck in a cycle of indecision is not a unique problem. A lot of us suffer stress, confusion and self-doubt from a lack of clarity in our day to day decision making. The more we overthink, the harder it becomes to make a confident decision. And it’s not just the big life decisions that trouble us—sometimes, even the smaller daily choices can feel like a struggle. But what if there was a way to clear the fog in the midst of it all?

Meditation is one such practice that many people turn to when they need help with making better decisions. The practice of meditating is known to bring clarity, calm the mind and improve focus, making it easier to approach and assess difficult issues.

A well-known advocate for meditation is the American television host and legend Oprah Winfrey. She has frequently spoken about how meditation has transformed her life, crediting it with helping her manage stress, staying focused and improving her overall wellbeing. American professional basketball player LeBron James has also been vocal about the benefits of mindfulness and meditation practices—on how they have helped him stay focused and enhanced his performance on and off the court. These famous personalities show that meditation isn’t just about finding inner peace, it is a whole lot of other things—including being able to make better decisions.

As British author Andy Puddicombe states, “Meditation is not about having yet another new strategy of self-help plan, but rather providing a framework in which to see yourself more clearly.” Here, the author is emphasising on how meditation isn’t just another quick fix. Instead, it’s a way to slow down and gain a clearer understanding of ourselves, our thoughts, emotions and reactions. It’s about observing and understanding ourselves better.

So, let’s explore how meditation can help in better decision making.

Clears mental clutter

Imagine working in a high-pressure job where every decision is critical. The constant stream of thoughts about what could go wrong, what the best choice would be or what others might think can make it tough to focus. You might find yourself overthinking every detail and still find it hard to make a clear decision.

Our minds are always racing. And when there’s something important to be done, the mind goes on an overdrive. This can leave us feeling stuck, unsure and exhausted. This is where meditation can help. It can give you the tools to quieten the mind and reduce overthinking. By focusing on something simple like your breath or a calming mantra, it can help your mind to settle. This clarity can make it easier to focus on what matters rather than being overwhelmed by distractions.

Increases emotional awareness

Do you remember how you felt when you decided something big in life? Did your heart race, did you feel anxious and stressed out, unsure of what the right choice was? The pressure may have been overwhelming. It may have even been accompanied by  fear, excitement or doubt.

When you’re caught up in such extreme feelings, it’s hard to think clearly and make a decision that feels right. Meditation can help you become more aware of your emotional state. Through practice, you can learn to recognise how your emotions might be affecting your decision-making process. Instead of being swept away by strong feelings, meditation can teach you to acknowledge them without reacting impulsively. This can help you make more thoughtful choices in the future.

Reduces stress and anxiety

Stress is harmful in a number of ways. It  not only affects our health, it also impacts our ability to make clear decisions. When we’re stressed, our minds become overwhelmed and it becomes harder to think straight or right. In fact, stress and anxiety can interfere with decision-making, making it difficult to see things clearly.

Meditation can help by reducing stress and promoting relaxation. It calms the nervous system and helps us feel more at peace. When we meditate regularly, we build resilience to stress and this allows us to approach decisions with a clearer mindset. Rather than reacting out of anxiety, we learn to approach issues with a calm, stable mind.

Boosts focus and concentration

Concentration or focussing on something is crucial when it comes to making decisions, yet many of us have experienced moments when we act impulsively, saying yes to something without fully thinking it through.

One of the key benefits of meditation is its ability to improve our focus and concentration. By practicing mindfulness, we can train our brain to stay present and resist distractions. This can keep us from being swayed by external pressures while allowing us to evaluate our options—helping us make decisions that are aligned with our values and goals. Instead of being scattered, meditation helps us develop the clarity to make thoughtful decisions.

Encourages intuition

Imagine you’re facing a big decision, like considering a job offer. You’ve weighed the pros and cons, done your research and asked for advice, but something still doesn’t feel right. You can’t quite put your finger on it, but you sense that one option may not be the best fit, even though everything else seems perfect. This feeling is your intuition, the inner knowing that guides you when logic alone isn’t able to provide all the answers.

Interestingly, meditation can allow you to connect more deeply with your inner self by quieting the external noise and distraction. By taking time to sit in stillness, you can create the space required to listen to your intuition. Through regular meditation, you can even learn to trust and tune into this inner wisdom, helping you make decisions that resonate with you.

Develops patience and acceptance

While making decisions, it often feels like we didn’t pay enough time and attention to all factors. It even feels rushed at times. But when we start practising meditation, it teaches us patience by encouraging us to sit with our thoughts and feelings without needing immediate answers. And this practice of waiting calmly teaches us that not every decision needs to be made in a hurry. With patience, we can approach decision-making with peace.

Meditation isn’t a magic fix for every decision, but it can be a helpful tool in your decision-making process. By promoting mental clarity, emotional awareness and stress reduction, meditation can help approach decisions with a more balanced mindset. So, incorporate meditation in your daily routine to have a better go at decision making. Next time you’re facing a tough choice, meditation could give you the clarity you need to move forward with confidence.