7 decisions you should never make after 9pm, according to psychology

There’s a significant connection between the choices we make and the time we make them.

Psychology suggests that our decision-making skills take a nosedive after 9 pm.

Making decisions at night, particularly after a long day, could lead to less than-optimal outcomes.

Our brains are not as sharp, our patience is thin, and we’re generally more susceptible to making poor choices.

In this article, I’m going to unveil seven decisions you should never make after 9 pm.

These insights aim to give you a clearer understanding of how your mind works at night and guide you towards better decision-making habits.

It’s not just about knowing when not to make decisions, but also about being mindful of your mental state. So let’s dive in!

1) Late-night snacking

We’ve all been there. It’s late at night, you’re binge-watching your favourite show, and suddenly you’re hit with a craving for something sweet or salty.
Late-night snacking is a decision we’re all guilty of making post-9 pm.

But according to psychology, it’s a decision that might not be in our best interest.

Psychologically, our brains associate nighttime with relaxation and reward after a long day of work.

This causes us to reach for comfort foods that are often high in sugar and unhealthy fats.

Moreover, our bodies are not designed to digest heavy meals late at night.

Studies have shown that late-night eating can lead to weight gain and disrupt our sleep.

As the famous psychologist Sigmund Freud once said, “Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive and will come forth later in uglier ways.”

This could apply to our late-night cravings as well – they could be an expression of unmet emotional needs during the day.

The next time you find yourself reaching for that bag of chips or tub of ice cream after 9 pm, remember Freud’s words and consider if there’s a deeper emotional need you’re trying to meet.

2) Making big decisions

I’ve learned this the hard way. One time, I found myself making a significant career decision late at night.

I was tired, and stressed, and didn’t want to deal with it in the morning. So, I thought I’d just get it over with.

However, the decision I made that night wasn’t the best one. I regretted it the next morning when I realized I hadn’t considered all the factors.

Our brains are not as sharp after 9 pm and we’re more likely to make poor decisions due to fatigue and stress. And boy, was that true for me!

Carl Jung, a renowned psychologist, once said, “Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens.”

I realized that my late-night decision was more of a dreamy escape than an awakened choice.

Now, I always make sure to avoid making big decisions after 9 pm and advise others to do the same. It’s better to sleep on it and approach it with a fresh mind in the morning.

3) Engaging in serious conversations

Have you ever tried to have a serious conversation late at night? If you’re anything like me, it probably didn’t go as smoothly as you’d hoped.

Late-night conversations might seem intimate and meaningful in the moment, but they can often lead to misunderstandings and unnecessary conflict.

Our brains are not in their prime decision-making state, and emotions can easily get the best of us.

I’ve had my fair share of late-night talks that ended in tears or frustration, all because we were both too tired to communicate effectively.

Now, I make sure to avoid any serious conversations after 9 pm.

As George Bernard Shaw once said, “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

And this illusion is often magnified late at night when our brains are fatigued.

So, take my advice. Save those deep, serious conversations for when you’re both well-rested and capable of clear, compassionate communication.

4) Checking work emails

In this digital age, it’s easy to get sucked into the vortex of continuous work.

Your phone pings with a work email notification, and suddenly, you’re back in work mode, even though it’s past 9 pm.

Using a smartphone for work purposes after 9 pm led to poorer sleep and lower levels of engagement at work the next day.

It’s easy to justify checking that one email or responding to that one message.

But in reality, it’s disrupting your work-life balance and affecting both your sleep and productivity.

The next time you’re tempted to check your work email after 9 pm, remember this: your work can wait until morning. Your well-being shouldn’t have to.

5) Overthinking

If there’s one thing I’m guilty of, it’s overthinking late at night. The quiet and solitude seem to amplify every thought, leading to a rollercoaster of emotions and worries.

But as psychology suggests, overthinking especially after 9 pm, can be detrimental.

Our tired minds are more likely to fall into negative thought patterns and exaggerate problems.

Famous psychologist Albert Ellis once said, “The art of love is largely the art of persistence.”

I believe this applies not only to love but to our relationship with ourselves as well.

Persistently overthinking, especially late at night, can harm this relationship.

The next time you find yourself overthinking after 9 pm, remember that your thoughts are not always your reality.

Try to redirect your mind towards something calm and positive instead.

6) Limiting screen time

Now, this might seem counterintuitive. In our digital age, screens are an integral part of our lives.

Many of us wind down at night by watching TV or scrolling through social media.

However, psychology suggests this might not be the best idea after 9 pm.

Screen time exposes us to blue light, which can interfere with our natural sleep cycle.

It tricks our brains into thinking it’s still daytime, making it harder to fall asleep and negatively affecting our sleep quality.

In the words of famous psychologist Abraham Maslow, “What is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself.”

Being aware of the impact of screen time on your sleep can help you make healthier choices.

Consider swapping your late-night screen time for a book or some light stretching. Your sleep cycle will thank you.

7) Neglecting self-care

Finally, neglecting self-care after 9 pm is a common mistake many of us make.

We often put off self-care routines, thinking we’ll get to it later, but then it’s suddenly past 9pm, and we’re too tired.

Especially after 9 pm, taking time for self-care can help us wind down effectively and prepare for a good night’s sleep.

Prioritize your self-care, even at night. It’s a decision you won’t regret.

Wrapping up

The human mind is a complex entity, and understanding its workings can be a fascinating journey.

It’s intriguing how our mental and emotional state can be influenced by something as simple as the time of day.

In our exploration of the seven decisions you should never make after 9 pm, we’ve seen how our cognitive abilities and emotional stability can be affected post this hour.

From late-night snacking to overthinking, we’ve unravelled why it’s important to approach certain decisions and actions with caution during this time.

The next time the clock strikes 9 pm, remember these insights.

Keep in mind the psychological implications of your actions, and make choices that favour your overall well-being.

After all, self-awareness is the first step towards self-improvement.

As you navigate your evenings, allow these insights to guide your decisions.

Pause, reflect, and choose wisely. Your mind and body will thank you for it.