When You Are Under-Aroused

Sometimes the problem is not too much anxiety but too little activation. Under-arousal shows up as boredom, low motivation, and careless errors. You know you should care, but your brain will not cooperate.

Raise arousal into the productive zone: add stakes (timer, deadline announced to someone), change your environment (coffee shop, stand up), or use physical activation — jumping jacks or cold water give a fast sympathetic boost under your control.