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A cognitive scientist explains a secret to combat stress and burnout

Posted on April 21, 2023 by Office of the President

In this article published in Fast Company, President Beilock writes, "Without time constraints, we become less able to navigate stressful situations and more susceptible to choking under pressure."

The much-anticipated pitch clock made its MLB debut at the start of the season, and like many fans who can expect faster, more entertaining games, I can't wait.

My excitement, however, has less to do with the promise of more action-packed innings. I've devoted my career as a cognitive scientist to understanding how the mind works in high-stress situations, particularly through the lens of elite athletes, and I suspect that in addition to an improved experience for fans, players' performance will improve too.

My own research shows that we actually perform better under tight time constraints—especially when we're doing something we're good at. The performance of elite athletes is largely controlled by procedural memory and repetition rather than conscious thinking. Read more.