Productive Anxiety : One from The Big Bang Theory

The other day, I watched the American sitcom  The Big Bang Theory Where Sheldon (a fictional character, theoretical physicist) is struggling for months investigating Dark Matter. Sheldon is willing to increase anxiety to improve his work performance for his scientific breakthrough.

In this episode 13 (The Anxiety Optimization) of Season 8; Sheldon clearly states "A classical Psychological experiment by Yerkes and Dodson, to maximize performance one must create a state of productive anxiety."  So, Sheldon requests his friends to intentionally annoy him to stay on the edge and induce productive anxiety.

Though this sitcom's plot intends comedy, entertainment, and gag. It's based on scientific research which makes it pretty interesting to watch and learn new things.

While I was lacking productivity myself due to COVID 19 lockdown, I decided to probe the productive anxiety and The Yerkes -Dodson Law.

So here is What I found.

Productive Anxiety 

Extreme anxiety and Your comfort zone kill productivity.

Anxiety is not always negative. Research shows moderate anxiety can make you alert, aware, and efficient.

Excessive anxiety can break you down affecting your performance and little pressure results in laziness. So, the idea here is to find your optimal anxiety zone.

The optimal anxiety zone is between your comfort space and the point of total freak-out.

Melinda Beck at The Wall Street Journal reports ."Somewhere between checked out and freak-out line lies an anxiety sweet spot" This Psychological spot of moderate anxiety motivates a person to succeed and not too anxious that performance dives. This optimizing alertness keeps people on their toes, enables them to multi-task, and alerts on potential problems.

Factors Influencing productivity under pressure

• Skill Level

• Personality

• Trait Anxiety and,

• Task Complexity

Skill Level: If you lack the skill to perform a task, you’ll feel under

pressure and won't perform well. So, identify what expertise is required

to perform the activity you are inclined towards. 

Personality: Many psychologists state that extroverts tend to perform highly in pressure situations. Whereas, introverts perform better with less pressure. Every individual is unique with their own personal traits. Identify which one you are and start to induce according to your need.

Trait Anxiety: If you are confident with yourself and often practice

affirmative self-talk, your productivity will increase. But, if you compare

yourself with others and self-criticize you tend to lose focus on pressurized

situations.

Task Complexity: You need pivotal attention and effort to complete a

task Successfully. A simple task can be done with a high level of pressure

whereas a complex task needs a low-pressure environment.

The Yerkes-Dodson Law

The Yerkes and Dodson Law postulated a relationship between performance and arousal (here means anxiety or stress). Performances elevate with physical and mental arousal only to a particular point, when excitement exceeds the point the productivity suffers and decreases.

In 1908, Harvard Psychologist Robert M. Yerkes and John Dillingham Dodson performed an experiment on rats, to observe their motivation to escape the maze after inducing their electricity. 

The experiment concludes mild shocks improved the performance productivity and increase of shock enhanced accomplishment until a certain point after that performance decreased. 

Different tasks require a discrete level of arousal for a favorable performance. For example, simple tasks like laundry, household chores imply either very low or very high arousal. Whereas, complex tasks like memorizing for exams, writing reports, or attending class can have low or high arousal. 

Arousal level precisely low can make you lazy, doze off towards your castle in the air. Excessive arousal can drain you, wear off your concentration preventing you from accomplishing the task. 

Immoderate work pressure affects your mind and body equilibrium. Physical symptoms like body aches, palpitation, vomiting, and weakness can escalate. Psychological symptoms like agitation, anger, restlessness, and hallucination can be seen. 

Even in this episode of The Big Bang Theory; Sheldon starts to hallucinate after excessive work, depriving himself of sleep and food for days. He later perceives a bus passenger as an Armadillo and dodges the reality.

The Yerkes and Dodson Law clearly contemplates us to balance between performance and pressure.

Balancing Anxiety

Obtaining a balance between work and stress is not easy as it sounds but here are few things you can do to get started. 

Use reverse psychology

Anxiety and fear are not always negative. Instead of avoiding it, rephrase it

to lessen the problem. Rather than saying ‘I am scared’ try saying ‘I am excited’. Reverse ‘I can't do it to ‘How can I achieve it?’. Assertive and energetic terms stabilize your anxiousness and prevent tediousness.

Practice Mindfulness

A very common method that requires excessive patience and practice.

practicing mindfulness does help you to balance your mind and body.

Mindfulness works in several ways. Practice here and now meditation,

guided imagery, doodle, go for a walk, enjoy nature, and practice gratitude to self and others.

Set Deadline

The deadline triggers a state of urgency. Though stressful at times it also galvanizes us to thrive. So, set your deadline to increase productivity or insist on others to do it for you. 

Intake caffeine

Most people start their day with coffee for a jolt. Business insider reports; consuming caffeine improves alertness, makes people more sociable, and improves memory.

Productivity depends upon your anxiety and stress level. Don't force

yourself to zone out or freak. Scrutinize the level of anxiety that’s best

suited for your performance, undoubtedly you will find your ‘anxiety sweet spot’.

Bazinga!