What effect does stress have on attention and concentration?

Stress has a significant impact on cognitive functions, particularly attention and concentration. When an individual is under stress, the body and mind react by activating the “fight or flight” response, which can lead to heightened levels of anxiety and distraction. This reaction often makes it difficult to maintain focus on tasks at hand, as the mind may be preoccupied with stressors or feelings of overwhelm.

Under stress, individuals may find that their ability to concentrate diminishes, making it challenging to process information effectively and attend to details. Enhanced stress can lead to cognitive overload, where the brain struggles to manage both the task at hand and the emotional responses triggered by the stress, ultimately resulting in a lack of focus and an increased tendency to become distracted.

Thus, recognizing how stress can affect attention is crucial for managing cognitive workload and maintaining performance, particularly in high-stakes environments like aviation and other fields requiring high cognitive performance.