Have you noticed that when pressure rises, your thinking can become narrower? You might find it harder to hold several things in mind, see the wider picture or pause before responding.
Stress changes what the brain and body prioritise. When something feels urgent, your attention may shift towards what needs an immediate response. That can be useful when quick action is needed because you narrow your thoughts and focus on the main priority. But if the pressure continues, it can become harder to think flexibly, see options or recognise when a familiar response is no longer helping.
This does not mean the thinking part of your brain has “switched off”. Stress affects connected processes involved in attention, memory, emotion and decision-making. Its effects also vary with the situation, the level of demand and the person.
One practical response is to make good thinking easier when you know you are under pressure:
- Write down information you would otherwise have to hold in mind.
- Prepare a response for situations where you tend to react quickly.
- Ask for time before making a consequential decision, where possible.
- Notice your early signs of urgency, such as a tightening jaw, faster speech or the feeling that everything must be dealt with now.
The aim is not to be calm all the time it is to retain access to habits and automatic reactions that will help you make better decisions.
For a fuller explanation, read How Chronic Stress Affects Decision-Making and How to Protect It