Optimal Level of Arousal

I learned that just as every person has a set point for their weight (the weight which their body naturally returns to even as they gain & lose weight- basically the "default" setting), we also have a set point for our normal level of arousal in everyday life.  Our normal level of arousal is mainly genetic (although it can be influenced by our environment, and can be changed consciously if we try), and usually quite similar to our parents' levels.  For example, if our parents tend to be stressed out all the time, then chances are that we will, too.  On the other hand, if our parents tend to be pretty laid-back and easy-going, then we will most likely be laid-back as well. 

Our optimal level of arousal is the physiological state at which we are the most productive.  It lies somewhere in the middle on the arousal scale; it is when we are aroused (because we are motivated) but not too aroused (nervous, anxious, worried).  We have just enough good stress to motivate us to focus, but we aren't so aroused that our hand is shaking when we're taking notes.  It is when we achieve our optimal level of arousal that we are most likely to experience flow- it's when we'll sit down and write great poetry, do our math homework easily, and get all that work done that our boss has been asking us to do.  When we are taking an exam at our optimal level of arousal, we are guaranteed to perform better. 

Here's the kicker- and this is what was most surprising to me when I learned about all of this: the symptoms of under-arousal and over-arousal are the same!  These symptoms include: fatigue, inability to concentrate, and actually falling asleep. (Don't pretend like your teacher didn't catch you passing out and drooling on your notebook at one point in high school!  That would definitely be due to under-arousal.) When your sympathetic nervous system is activated due to overarousal, your body will compensate by literally shutting down.  This will cause you to feel groggy and even fall asleep.   So, if you are motivated and anxious when trying to do something, but begin to feel groggy and sleepy out of the blue, a cup of coffee probably won't help because it will increase your nervousness and level of arousal.  You actually need to mellow out- by relaxing, taking a few deep breaths, or going on a short walk (whatever tools you want to use)- in order to bring your level of arousal down.  Then you will find that you are able to focus more easily.

If we want to make these concepts work for us in our lives, we can first determine our normal level of arousal.  Then, we can think about what it feels like to be at our optimal state of arousal (calm, cool, energized, focused, confident.)  With this info in mind, we are able to figure out how to reach our optimal level of arousal more often (especially when there are important things we want to get done).   The way it generally works is that people with a high level of arousal (ie. anxious, stressed) need to engage in more low-level arousal activities (ie. meditation, watching movies, taking a walk) to maintain psychological and physiological homestatis.  Chances are that a person with a high level of arousal will need to do a lot of deep breathing  and calming self-talk in order to reach their optimal level of arousal and perform well on a test.  In contrast, someone whose normal level of arousal is quite low will have to seek out excitement in order to achieve the balance their body and mind crave.  It is important that they "feed" themselves enough (connect with other people, go out, etc) in order to receive the stimulation they need.  But in our hectic society, even if we are laid-back, most people around us are rushing through their day and stressed out.  Therefore, it seems that everyone could benefit from taking some time in their life to relax and re-group. Add a bit of serenity to the collective conscious.