In this article
Can stress really improve your performance?
dossier
Stress is rarely seen as something positive, especially at work. Although chronic stress can cause serious physical damage, some psychologists believe that a little anxiety can actually increase our ability to complete a task. It’s about finding the optimal dose of stress to improve our performance.
Also read: What does stress do to your body in the short and long term?
The Yerkes-Dodson law: the optimal stress level
© Getty Images
It was psychologists Robert Yerkes and John Dillingham Dodson who concluded in 1908, after laboratory experiments with rodents, that the level of stress we are exposed to can influence our performance.
The Yerkes-Dodson law, also known as the inverted-U curve, states that there is a certain level of arousal – good stress or ‘eustress’ – that allows us to perform optimally: Too little stress insufficient motivation. There is no challenge to meet or goal to achieve. You do the minimum. Too much stress can be debilitating and hinder your abilities. It is difficult to concentrate, and you even feel paralyzed. This unhealthy fear often leads to failure. At an optimal stress level, you feel more alert and focused, and you feel the motivation you need to achieve your goals.
Also read: Stress: symptoms and health consequences
What is the optimal stress level?
Unfortunately, there is no universal benchmark for optimal stress levels. The perception of stress varies from person to person. What is optimal stress for one person may be experienced as too intense for another. There are several factors that play a role in this: the difficulty and nature of the task, your competence, resilience, self-confidence, available resources and the social support you have (colleagues, family, etc.).
Light, moderate stress gives you the energy you need, exactly when you need it. This response lasts as long as necessary to help you perform optimally. Too much stress manifests itself both physically and emotionally and the consequences are significant. It is therefore important to be aware of the signals of excessive stress, so that you can sound the alarm in time and take steps to reduce the amount of stress.
Also read: Stress: the difference between being tense and overwrought
What are the symptoms of too much stress?
Warning signs may include:
Increased heart rateAbnormal fatigue and sleep problemsHeadacheMuscle tensionConcentration problemsNervousness and agitationIrritabilityMemory problemsToo frequent or excessive use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs
Also read: How does stress affect your body weight?
How can I keep my stress level optimal?
Maintaining optimal stress levels doesn’t mean avoiding stress altogether. Rather, it means understanding that stress is part of your life and that the impact it can have on you depends on how you deal with it and how you interpret it.
By determining your optimal stress level and implementing stress management strategies, you can achieve your goals while maintaining your physical and mental health.
Watch for the physical signs of stress. Identify the situations that stimulate you positively and the situations that have the opposite effect. Set yourself achievable goals: Setting unattainable goals can lead to stress overload. Set yourself ambitious but achievable goals. They should challenge you without going overboard. Mentally think about the road you have to take to get there. This visualization exercise will positively prepare your mind for what lies ahead. Adopt a positive attitude towards the things you want to achieve. View challenges as opportunities to learn and grow rather than tedious tasks and insurmountable obstacles. Have confidence in your skills Find a way to manage your stress: mindfulness, meditation, sophrology and heart coherence are all stress management techniques that can help you channel your stress and make the most of it. Don’t hesitate to ask colleagues, friends or mental health professionals to ask health care for help when stress becomes unbearable.
Also read: Sophrology: a valuable remedy against stress
Also read: Correct breathing: heart coherence as an answer to stress, burnout and hyperventilation
Sources:
https://hbr.org
https://www.psychologytoday.com
https://www.healthline.com
Last updated: November 2023
Articles about health in your mailbox? Subscribe to our newsletter and receive a free e-book with healthy breakfast recipes.
Related articles
Related sections
2023-11-29 23:04:20
#stress #improve #performance #health.be
