All of these changes in the body can be quickly reversed once vigorous physical activity has
been carried out. This explains why many people report the desire to run or in some other way
expend physical energy when placed in stressful situations. However, we are not often able to
immediately engage in physical activity and therefore are less able to reverse the changes. For
people who are prone to worry excessively, these changes can be quite disturbing and a new
source of threat. This, of course, leads to further activation of the ‘fight or flight’ response and
the whole cycle is continued.
Anxiety and Performance
Anxiety can become a problem if it occurs in situations where there is no real danger. The only
part of the ‘fight or flight’ response that is of use today when handling most stresses is the
increase in mental alertness that it provides. It is very important to understand that while
increased awareness can be helpful, anxiety in some situations can be unnecessary or
inappropriate.
Anxiety helps you perform any skilled activity. If you are totally relaxed when you take an
exam, play a sport, or discuss a problem with your colleagues, you will not give of your best. To
do anything really well you need to be alert, anxious to do well, or “psyched-up” in present day
terms. Anxiety in moderation is a drive that can work well to make you more efficient.
People with anxiety disorders often become afraid of the healthy anxiety that aids performance -
they fear it might become uncontrollable and hence avoid using anxiety in this healthy way.
Thus, they limit their ability to give of their best. This reaction is understandable, for if you
don't know how to control anxiety, it is probably better to have too little than too much. When
people do get too anxious, their skill at problem solving, managing the children, or meeting
deadlines at work declines rapidly. Extreme anxiety interferes with the ability to think clearly
and act sensibly. This, as everyone knows, is the sort of anxiety that robs us of our capacity to
do things as well as we are able. In fact, the more difficult the task, the more important it is to
manage anxiety carefully; ideally, one should be mildly anxious, alert, tense, and in control, for
maximum efficiency.
The relationship between anxiety and skill is shown in the diagram.
Very Good
Performance
Average
Very Poor
Very Calm Aroused Panic
Anxiety Level
It is, therefore, important to learn a strategies for remaining calm when appropriate, and alert,
tense, and in control in difficult situations
been carried out. This explains why many people report the desire to run or in some other way
expend physical energy when placed in stressful situations. However, we are not often able to
immediately engage in physical activity and therefore are less able to reverse the changes. For
people who are prone to worry excessively, these changes can be quite disturbing and a new
source of threat. This, of course, leads to further activation of the ‘fight or flight’ response and
the whole cycle is continued.
Anxiety and Performance
Anxiety can become a problem if it occurs in situations where there is no real danger. The only
part of the ‘fight or flight’ response that is of use today when handling most stresses is the
increase in mental alertness that it provides. It is very important to understand that while
increased awareness can be helpful, anxiety in some situations can be unnecessary or
inappropriate.
Anxiety helps you perform any skilled activity. If you are totally relaxed when you take an
exam, play a sport, or discuss a problem with your colleagues, you will not give of your best. To
do anything really well you need to be alert, anxious to do well, or “psyched-up” in present day
terms. Anxiety in moderation is a drive that can work well to make you more efficient.
People with anxiety disorders often become afraid of the healthy anxiety that aids performance -
they fear it might become uncontrollable and hence avoid using anxiety in this healthy way.
Thus, they limit their ability to give of their best. This reaction is understandable, for if you
don't know how to control anxiety, it is probably better to have too little than too much. When
people do get too anxious, their skill at problem solving, managing the children, or meeting
deadlines at work declines rapidly. Extreme anxiety interferes with the ability to think clearly
and act sensibly. This, as everyone knows, is the sort of anxiety that robs us of our capacity to
do things as well as we are able. In fact, the more difficult the task, the more important it is to
manage anxiety carefully; ideally, one should be mildly anxious, alert, tense, and in control, for
maximum efficiency.
The relationship between anxiety and skill is shown in the diagram.
Very Good
Performance
Average
Very Poor
Very Calm Aroused Panic
Anxiety Level
It is, therefore, important to learn a strategies for remaining calm when appropriate, and alert,
tense, and in control in difficult situations
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