--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Research shows that when we get nervous…" description: "\"“Research shows that when we get nervous or stressed, our attention and focus narrows, causing us to concentrate on just a few things at a time.”\" — Co..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/col-ben-findley-27225_focus_research-shows-that-when-we-get-nervous_2921024.jpg" --- # Research shows that when we get nervous or stressed, our… ![“Research shows that when we get nervous or stressed, our attention and focus narrows, causing us to concentrate on just a few things at a time.” quote by Col Ben Findley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/col-ben-findley-27225_focus_research-shows-that-when-we-get-nervous_2921024.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/col-ben-findley-27225_focus_research-shows-that-when-we-get-nervous_2921024.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/138/col-ben-findley-27225_focus_research-shows-that-when-we-get-nervous_2921024.jpg) > ““Research shows that when we get nervous or stressed, our attention and focus narrows, causing us to concentrate on just a few things at a time.”” [Col Ben Findley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/col-ben-findley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Stress narrows focus, limiting attention to few items and reducing overall awareness. **In simple terms:** Stress limits focus to few things. Key Takeaway Manage stress to broaden attention. Themes stress attention focus Mood anxious focused Type observational informational When to use this quote - public speaking - high‑stakes meetings - emergency response - exam preparation Key Concepts cognitive narrowing psychology Questions to Reflect On - How does stress affect your decision making? - Can you use stress to prioritize? A Different Perspective Stress can also sharpen necessary details, which may be beneficial. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I try to practice mindfulness at all times, including the times where I'm nervous and I'm stressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christen-press/i-try-to-practice-mindfulness-at-all-times-including-the-times-where/) [Christen Press](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christen-press/) > [The more prepared I am, the more I'll be in control, less nervous, less stressed and more focused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilu-henner/the-more-prepared-i-am-the-more-i-ll-be-in-control-less-nervous-less/) [Marilu Henner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilu-henner/) > [ When life attains a crisis, man’s focus narrows. \[…\] The world becomes a stage of immediate concern, swept free of illusion. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-thompson/when-life-attains-a-crisis-man-s-focus-narrows-the-world-becomes-a/) [Jim Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-thompson/) > [“Most of the time, you’ll concentrate just on your website but when you take your focus off of it, you’ll realize that there’s more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pooja-agnihotri/most-of-the-time-you-ll-concentrate-just-on-your-website-but-when-you/) [Pooja Agnihotri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pooja-agnihotri/) > [I did 'Jersey Shore 6' sober, and you really just concentrate on yourself and just being the best person that you can be or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sorrentino/i-did-jersey-shore-6-sober-and-you-really-just-concentrate-on/) [Michael Sorrentino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sorrentino/) > [I value very much the time before the show, when there is nothing else but to concentrate on the show, and it's just purely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marc-jacobs/i-value-very-much-the-time-before-the-show-when-there-is-nothing-else/) [Marc Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marc-jacobs/) > [The frustration of Washington is you have to concentrate on just a few areas to really make a difference, and then so much of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-coffman/the-frustration-of-washington-is-you-have-to-concentrate-on-just-a/) [Mike Coffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-coffman/) > [You concentrate just on yourself. I can't wallow in anything, can't worry about what others are doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-cavendish/you-concentrate-just-on-yourself-i-can-t-wallow-in-anything-can-t/) [Mark Cavendish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-cavendish/) > [I wonder if kids growing up now are actually going to have that - if they're ever going to be able to unplug and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-currie-jr/i-wonder-if-kids-growing-up-now-are-actually-going-to-have-that-if/) [Ron Currie Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-currie-jr/) > [I'm a very anxious, nervy kind of loser in many ways, and I get very stressed and a little tense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-weeks/i-m-a-very-anxious-nervy-kind-of-loser-in-many-ways-and-i-get-very/) [Ed Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-weeks/) > [Language just gradually came in, one or two stressed words a time. Before then, I would just scream. I couldn't talk. I couldn't get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/temple-grandin/language-just-gradually-came-in-one-or-two-stressed-words-a-time/) [Temple Grandin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/temple-grandin/) > [When I tried to create a new political party, which I stressed that this is not my party. I believe very much that there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wole-soyinka/when-i-tried-to-create-a-new-political-party-which-i-stressed-that/) [Wole Soyinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wole-soyinka/) > [But if you get chronically, psychosocially stressed, you're going to compromise your health. So, essentially, we've evolved to be smart enough to make ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/but-if-you-get-chronically-psychosocially-stressed-you-re-going-to/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) > [Parents who are stressed or disturbed will have more difficulty in meeting their children's needs. Parents who have little support--from friends, relatives, neighbors, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheila-kamerman/parents-who-are-stressed-or-disturbed-will-have-more-difficulty-in/) Sheila Kamerman > [The fact -- not theory -- that evolution has occurred and the Darwinian theory as to how it occurred have become so confused in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-gaylord-simpson/the-fact-not-theory-that-evolution-has-occurred-and-the-darwinian/) [George Gaylord Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-gaylord-simpson/) ## More by Col Ben Findley > [“We should carry all the time, if we are legally-licensed to do so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/col-ben-findley/we-should-carry-all-the-time-if-we-are-legally-licensed-to-do-so/) [Col Ben Findley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/col-ben-findley/) > [“I want to cooperate fully with law enforcement, but I do not want to make a statement or answer any questions until I talk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/col-ben-findley/i-want-to-cooperate-fully-with-law-enforcement-but-i-do-not-want-to/) [Col Ben Findley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/col-ben-findley/) > [“My personal handgun maintenance policy is to clean and properly lubricate my handguns after EACH range trip use (no matter how many rounds were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/col-ben-findley/my-personal-handgun-maintenance-policy-is-to-clean-and-properly/) [Col Ben Findley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/col-ben-findley/) > [“Avoidance and retreat are usually the best and initial strategy for handling any physical conflict self-defense situation, especially if you are carrying a concealed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/col-ben-findley/avoidance-and-retreat-are-usually-the-best-and-initial-strategy-for/) [Col Ben Findley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/col-ben-findley/) > [“The goal in aiming is to get the Point of Alignment to equal the Point of Impact (POA = POI).”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/col-ben-findley/the-goal-in-aiming-is-to-get-the-point-of-alignment-to-equal-the/) [Col Ben Findley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/col-ben-findley/) > [“However, I am PREPARED to respond with force as necessary and without hesitation as a last resort, if necessary to protect lives and great…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/col-ben-findley/however-i-am-prepared-to-respond-with-force-as-necessary-and-without/) [Col Ben Findley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/col-ben-findley/) > [“We should make every effort to not get into fists fights when we are carrying and recognize that any time a gun is introduced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/col-ben-findley/we-should-make-every-effort-to-not-get-into-fists-fights-when-we-are/) [Col Ben Findley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/col-ben-findley/) > [“It is my opinion (and many disagree) that for carry the .380 ACP should be the minimum caliber you choose. 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Here are some general ideas and opinions to think about from this non-lawyer layman:”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/col-ben-findley/consider-are-1-reasonableness-2-imminent-danger-3-proportionate-force/) [Col Ben Findley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/col-ben-findley/) > [“The answer and key aiming technique for best accuracy... is to FRONT SIGHT ONLY focus, after your initial cursory Sight Alignment, if you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/col-ben-findley/the-answer-and-key-aiming-technique-for-best-accuracy-is-to-front/) [Col Ben Findley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/col-ben-findley/) > [“AMONG THE VARIOUS CALIBERS (9MM, .40, AND .45) THERE IS NOT MUCH DIFFERENCE IN STOPPING POWER.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/col-ben-findley/among-the-various-calibers-9mm-40-and-45-there-is-not-much-difference/) [Col Ben Findley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/col-ben-findley/) > [“A general rule of thumb (some call it the 'FBI Rule') is in a typical encounter 3 SHOTS are fired, in 3 SECONDS, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/col-ben-findley/a-general-rule-of-thumb-some-call-it-the-fbi-rule-is-in-a-typical/) [Col Ben Findley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/col-ben-findley/) > [“He strived to win the hearts and minds of enemies through peaceful and passive persuasion and knowing when to retreat and when to advance.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/col-ben-findley/he-strived-to-win-the-hearts-and-minds-of-enemies-through-peaceful/) [Col Ben Findley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/col-ben-findley/) [Explore all 21 Col Ben Findley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/col-ben-findley/) ## More Focus quotes > [If you take your eye off the ball or lose focus for even a minute you can lose a game against any team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felipe-anderson/if-you-take-your-eye-off-the-ball-or-lose-focus-for-even-a-minute-you/) [Felipe Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felipe-anderson/) > [Music is a job, but I figured out ways to get my mind into a place where I could be creative. 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As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/) [Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [“This is Galileo,” said Aristotle. “He advocates understanding the world through observation and experiment. He is an unimaginative thinker, but his results demand our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liu-cixin/this-is-galileo-said-aristotle-he-advocates-understanding-the-world/) [Liu Cixin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liu-cixin/) > [Too many times we flitter our energy into too many goals and in the process don't achieve much. Focus is very important in life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaishali-kasture/too-many-times-we-flitter-our-energy-into-too-many-goals-and-in-the/) [Vaishali Kasture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaishali-kasture/) > [If you ask another competitor, they may tell you they felt very competitive towards me. 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