Autonomic Arousal

Moderate arousal can sharpen cognition and attention, but excessive arousal can impair deliberate thought. Stress is one interpretation of autonomic physiological activation rather than a separate biological state. Autonomic arousal underlies sensations, perceptions, emotions, thoughts, and actions. Very high arousal reduces deliberate cognition and shifts behavior toward training or reflexive responses. A useful practical target is being both alert and calm when work is required.