The Effect of Anticipatory Stress on Productivity
Anticipatory morning stress can lead to compromised memory performance later in the day. That’s what researchers found according to one study where subjects responded to survey questions via their smart phones seven times over the course of a day. The first question asked about anticipated stress over the next 24 hours. Subjects were then given tests to assess working memory. Interestingly, the results indicated that higher levels of anticipatory stress compromised working memory and later in the day, regardless of how stressful the day actually turned out to be.
Poor working memory can lead to compromised performance at work and many other areas of your life. And morning routines that prompt you to focus on potential stressful events may inadvertently compromise performance later on — things like checking email, scanning the news, and even reviewing investment performance may all have unintended negative consequences for your memory and productivity for the rest of your day.
The findings raise the question as to whether it may be worthwhile for your productivity to avoid things that raise stress levels and instead integrate stress-reduction activities such as the following in morning routines:
- meditation and mindfulness
- light exercise such as walking
- yoga or stretching
- playing with pets
- time in nature
- breathing exercises
- time with loved ones
- progressive muscle relaxation
- visualization exercises
- aromatherapy
- journaling
- practicing gratitude
Consider whether your morning routine encourages — or mitigates — stress and experiment to see whether reducing anticipatory morning stress helps you to be more productive for the rest of the day.
Source
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/anxiety-zen/202011/how-cope-anticipatory-anxiety
