If you're fleeing a cave bear, it's good to be stressed — you'll run faster. If you're stepping onto the set with Alex Trebek, that same anxiety will put your brain in jeopardy. While a little nervousness can boost cognitive performance, periods of intense stress essentially turn us into Neanderthals: The amygdala, known as the fear center, one of the most primitive brain regions, overrides the prefrontal cortex, which handles working memory and executive function. "When those deep brain areas are active, they shanghai your cortical neurons," says psychiatrist Edward Hallowell, author of CrazyBusy. "Your IQ plummets. Your creativity, your sense of humor — all of that disappears. You're stupid." How to quiet your inner caveman? By slowing and synchronizing your pulse and respiration, thus sending a message to your brain that everything is cool. Yoga or power napping could do the trick. Or try the StressEraser, a biofeedback device that suggests a target breathing rate to help you calm down. That should help you nail that Daily Double.
Related Get Smarter: 12 Hacks That Will Amp Up Your Brainpower 1: Distract Yourself 2: Caffeinate With Care 3: Choose Impressive Information 4: Think Positive 5: Do the Right Drugs 6: Juice Your IQ Score 7: Know Your Brain 8: Don't Panic 9: Embrace Chaos 10: Get Visual 11: Exercise Wisely 12: Slow Down Plus: 6 Intelligence Myths Exposed
