Imagine waking up on a busy Monday morning, and having to make several decisions like what to eat, what to wear, which perfume to use. Instead of standing in front of the fridge and wardrobe wondering whether to make eggs, cereal, oatmeal, or toast, or which dress to put on you instinctively reach for the same bowl of yogurt and fruit you've eaten for months. You also pull out the same shirt, gown, socks and pants that you have worn umpteenth number of times. It isn't because you dislike variety. It's because you've stopped thinking about the decision altogether.
While this routine may seem boring to some, psychologists say it can actually serve a useful purpose. Automating everyday small decisions may help reduce the number of small decisions your brain has to make before work, leaving more mental energy available for the choices that matter later in the day.
