Although we tend to think about stress negatively, certain kinds of stress can actually improve your mental performance. When under stress, the body releases chemicals called glucocorticoids (GC’s). Research shows that medium to high GC (or stress) levels facilitate some types of learning and memory, while very high and very low GC levels impair them.
But for stress to give you a mental boost, it must relate to the task at hand, or intrinsic stress. That’s the kind of energizing pressure you feel when faced with a direct mental challenge, such as trying to meet a 5 PM deadline. Extrinsic stress, on the other hand, does not directly relate to a specific mental task and can impair brain function. So if you’re stressed because your child is sick, such external pressure hurts your ability to deliver that report on time.
However, too much intrinsic pressure, such as a daily 5 PM deadline, can lead to very high GC levels and diminish the brain’s ability to grow new neurons and neural connections. Yet aiming for zero stress is not the answer. The same research shows that insufficiently challenging tasks (and very low GC’s) can lead to poor results. In other words, being under SOME pressure enhances performance.
The key is balance. Here’s some advice for manipulating the stress in your life to boost productivity:
- Welcome the pressure. Tough deadlines, performance incentives, demanding supervisors…see them for what they really are: the structure and push you need to really excel.
- Identify the source of your stress. Take a quick time-out to analyze it’s REAL cause. Knowing whether the pressure you’re feeling is intrinsic or extrinsic is the first step to managing it.
- Reduce the worst offenders. If you’re working late on a project and you’re worried about the kids being home alone, hire a trustworthy babysitter. By addressing your biggest concerns, you’ll gain a sense of control that will improve focus.