Typical adult spends 23 days a year making decisions

The typical adult spends the equivalent of 23 days a year making decisions – struggling to choose what to have for dinner, what to watch on TV – and what to wear.

Research, of 2,000 adults, found the average day sees them make 16 different choices. This leads to an average of one hour and 32 minutes spent deliberating each day, despite 48% admitting the task makes them bored.

58% admitted they experience ‘decision paralysis’ as they labour over the smallest of things.

It also emerged that when it comes to deciding on big debates, Brits have been unable to make a decision on whether the evening meal is called dinner or tea (14%), or if milk goes in tea before or after the water (13%).

And 12% have struggled to decide whether jam or cream goes first on a scone.

The study was commissioned by OREO, which has teamed up with former Premier League referee and Gladiators adjudicator, Mark Clattenburg, to launch the Trust the Twist service.

The decision-making social media tool comes after 74%, of those polled, said they want to inject more fun into their lives, along with others, who long for spontaneity (58%) and playfulness (56%).

Mark Clattenburg said: “I’m known for making decisions in high pressure tournaments, but everyday choices can often feel intense too, so it’s no surprise 14% would like someone else to make the call for them.

“I can’t wait to see what questions we get from the public, whether it’s what to have for tea or what to get your partner for their birthday.”

The research also found, that once settled, 52% often regret their choice and wonder if they should have gone for something else.

Interestingly, 35% think having to make choices feels mundane, while others feel they are monotonous (29%) and tiring (20%).

The most common decision – what to eat for dinner – was also voted the one people are most bored of making (39%). Along with what to watch on TV (24%), what to wear (17%) and whether to clean the house (17%).

But some of those polled, via OnePoll.com, are already trying more playful ways to make their minds up, including by asking a friend (19%) and flipping a coin (11%).

Sophia Burger, spokesperson for OREO UK at Mondelēz International, said: “Day to day life is stressful enough with all of the decisions we have to make.”