In this edition of the Stress Cops PodCast Radio Show we bring you a quantum-self stress research report about decision making under stress, and the evidence that making snap decisions under stress frequently yields results that are good for the short term, but even more stress producing for the long term.
A Quantum-Self Research Report
Stress can make you more likely to base your decisions on the short-term without considering the long-term consequences. The consequences of decisions made under stress can be serious at all levels of the business world, and even more stress producing.
At times we have to make choices that have good immediate consequences -- but may have bad long-term consequences. For example, if you stay up late to work on a project at the last minute you may finish the projects on time (a good immediate consequence) -- but suffer from sleep deprivation over time (a bad long-term stress creating consequence).
Or you may sit in an uncomfortable chair at work all day, and end up with a bad back. Again not a good thing.
A Harvard researcher explored how stress affects the way we make decisions that promise a positive short-term reward , but have negative long-term consequences.
Thirty-two Harvard University students viewed a slide show that they individually controlled. Some of the participants viewed pictures stimulating a sense of stress and negative emotion, while the other participants viewed neutral pictures during their slide show.
The participants were told they would receive a certain amount of money for each slide they viewed during the 10-minute slide show. Thus the more slides they advanced through the more money they would make.
The participants advanced to the next slide by pushing one of two buttons on a control box. One button represented *good immediate but bad long-term consequences,* because it allowed them to quickly advance the next slide, but also slowed down the advance of later slides.
The other button represented *bad immediate but good long-term consequences* because it slowed down the advance of the next slide but sped up the advance of later slides.
Results showed that participants who were stressed by viewing the aversive slides earned less money than participants who viewed the neutral slides. The stressed participants also chose the *good immediate but bad long-term consequences* button on the control box much more than the participants with low stress.
A second study found the same results comparing a group of students who reported high stress levels because of upcoming exams, to students who had low stress levels.
A Note to Decision Makers
It is unfortunately sometimes easy to make a snap decision when under stress. This underscores the importance of solid stress management programs for key executives and decision makers – where the wrong snap decision can seriously damage an enterprise.
Stress management programs are more important than ever because of the stress producing fast pace business operates under today. If you have a challenge managing your stress, you may want to do some mental re-programming to improve how you respond. Your stress response is a habit. And like any other habit, it will only go away if replaced with other behavior patterns.
Over thirty years of research have proven that brainwave training is the fastest instant stress reducer. Instant stress management is great. But a regime of alpha/theta (A-T) brainwave training has an even bigger payback -- it trains your brain to easily order your mind and body to relax on its own, and makes you far more stress free and creative.
The Research: Gray, J. (1999) A bias toward short-term thinking in threat-related negative emotional states. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 25, 65-75.
The author, Stress Cop Dr. Jill Ammon-Wexler, is a pioneer brain/mind researcher, doctor of psychology, author, life adventurer, and international executive advisor. You will find more of her stress management and stress reduction articles at Quantum-Self.com -- the Self Discovery Community, and in the QuantumBrainGym -- the webs first online stress management brainwave training center.
The Stress Cops Radio Show
Where we always talk stress management and stress reduction.
9:24:56 AM 
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