Why Your Brain Works Better Under Pressure (or Does It?)

Pressure is an inevitable and inescapable part of one’s life. We frequently encounter mental pressure from school assignments to work deadlines, our lives are all-encompassing of events that create pressure. Pressure is usually generated when peak performance is demanded from us within a limited time frame. One might often mix pressure up with stress. Although both these terms sound similar, there is one crucial difference between them. Pressure refers to the external challenges and demands that require our abilities. Stress, on the other hand, is our psychological and physiological response to this pressure.

We have often heard elders use the phrase ‘everything in moderation.’ Although this phrase is usually used regarding food, it could be true in various aspects, like pressure. While moderate mental pressure may benefit you through quick decision-making and fast responses, excessive pressure might lead to chronic stress that can be harmful, both physically and mentally. 

Read More: A Psychology-backed Guide to Decision-Making

The Yerkes-Dodson Law

The Yerkes-Dodson Law was given in 1908 by psychologists Robert Yerkes and John Dodson through a study published by them. This law states that one’s performance can improve with their psychological and mental arousal, but only up to a certain level. But when this arousal level becomes very high, the performance starts to deteriorate. The psychological and mental arousal here was referred to for stress and anxiety and how it affects performance, but the same could be true in the case of pressure.

Pressure up to a certain extent might help to get things done but a high amount of pressure might not be beneficial in any way. Beyond an optimal level, further pressure can impair one’s performance. According to this law, you need motivation to achieve a goal you desire but only to a level where you do not get overwhelmed by it. Acute stress, that is, short-term stress might provide you the right amount of energy when you need it and only lasts until you have achieved your goal. 

Brain’s Reaction to Pressure

When faced with pressure, the human brain releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. These hormones prepare the body for a ‘fight or flight’ response. In this process, various physiological changes can be observed in the body through increased heart rate, blood flow, increased alertness, and more. 

When released in moderate amounts, these hormones can help to improve memory recall, enhance problem-solving skills, and increase focus and concentration. But if this pressure is sustained for a prolonged period, cortisol can disrupt the functioning of the prefrontal cortex which can result in impaired decision-making, lack of emotional regulation, and relapses in memory functioning. This reaction of a human brain to pressure is the perfect example of the Yerkes-Dodson Law. 

Effects of Mental Pressure on Brain Functioning

Mental pressure has its fair share of positive and negative effects on the functioning of the human brain. While at times it can make one more decisive, it can also lead to burnout on the other hand. Below are both positive and negative effects of pressure on brain functioning.

Positive Effects

• Enhanced Attention: The human brain is on high alert whenever it is under pressure, and thus, focus and attention are elevated. This ‘tunnel vision’ helps the person focus on what is important at this point, ignoring all the peripheral or less important aspects.
• Motivation: Motivation boosts up under pressure. The urgency of the task at hand becomes the sole focus and motivation to complete it increases. Moreover, the brain releases dopamine, encouraging the brain to complete the task.
• Improved Memory: Moderate mental pressure on the brain enhances the hippocampus activity. The hippocampus is a part of the brain that is responsible for the storage and retrieval of memories. This is the reason why people tend to remember the high-pressure moments in their lives vividly.
• Boosted Creativity: When people are under pressure, they think outside the box to find solutions faster. This approach can lead to creative ideas, referred to as ‘forced creativity.’ Scientists might often credit their groundbreaking breakthroughs to high-pressure moments.

You make some of the most important decisions of your life under pressure. The experience might vary from person to person, but a moderate amount of mental pressure is healthy for your body and brain functioning.

Read More: The Role of Dopamine in the Mind

Negative Consequences

• Overload: Excessive pressure leads to cognitive overload which further leads to impairment in all cognitive functions like thinking, memory, attention, decision-making, problem-solving, etc. 
• Burnout: Constantly being exposed to high-pressure situations can leave a person feeling exhausted which then leads to burnout. It reduces one’s energy and impairs concentration. It also leads to detachment of a person from tasks.
• Physical Health: By now, we are all well aware that mental and physical health are correlated. Prolonged pressure can contribute to sleep disruptions, hypertension, frequent headaches, and weakened immunity of an individual.
• Performance Anxiety: There is a phrase ‘choking under pressure’ where one is not able to perform tasks efficiently or up to their potential because they are facing more pressure than they can handle. 

While there is no foolproof solution that eliminates the negative effects of pressure, there are some things that might help. These include relaxation, proper preparation, and supportive self-talk. One can also view the situation that is creating pressure as a challenge. Doing this might put one at ease as the ‘pressure of success’ is also reduced. 

Conclusion

Unfortunately, the answer to ‘Does one work better under pressure?’ is not a straight one. We need to consider various dimensions and intensities of mental pressure to determine whether it will be beneficial or not. Moderate pressure can elevate emotional response, creativity, and memory, enhance attention, and increase motivation. On the other hand, prolonged or chronic pressure can lead to emotional dysregulation, problems with physical health, overload, burnout, and exhaustion. So, the next time you find yourself in a situation that is putting you under pressure, ask yourself – Is this taking me towards my holistic growth, or is it time to take a step back and reevaluate?