Pressure-filled situations like difficult conversations tax our working memory. That’s bad news, since working memory is crucial for reasoning, concentration, and understanding. But here’s the good news: There’s a specific type of brief writing activity that can both reduce anxiety about and boost performance under pressure.

Show notes

Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting It Right When You Have To by Sian Beilock

For worriers, expressive writing cools brain on stressful tasks

Worried about performing well under stress? Write it out

The effect of expressive writing on the error-related negativity among individuals with chronic worry

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