Coping with Stress and Decision-Making

Aug 11, 2024

Lecture Notes: Coping with Stress and Decision-Making

Introduction

  • Personal story about breaking into own house during a cold Montreal winter.
  • Lost keys and broke basement window to get inside.
  • Experience led to reflection on handling stress and preventing mistakes.

Effects of Stress on the Brain

  • Under stress, the brain releases cortisol:
    • Increases heart rate.
    • Modulates adrenaline levels.
    • Clouds thinking, making rational decision-making difficult.
  • Personal experience of forgetting passport highlights this cloudiness.

Concept of Pre-Mortem

  • Introduced by Danny Kahneman, based on work by Gary Klein.
  • Post-Mortem: Analyzing what went wrong after a disaster.
  • Pre-Mortem: Anticipating potential problems before they occur and strategizing on how to avoid them.

Strategies to Prevent Mistakes

Organizing Home

  • Designate specific places for easily lost items:
    • Keys: Hook by the door or decorative bowl.
    • Passport: Specific drawer.
    • Reading glasses: Particular table.
  • Importance of consistency in placing items helps avoid loss.

Travel Tips

  • Take cell phone pictures of important documents (credit cards, passport).
  • Email these pictures to yourself for easy access in case of loss.

Medical Decision-Making

  • High-stress situation requiring clear thinking.
  • Example: High cholesterol and considering statin medication.
  • Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor:
    • Number Needed to Treat (NNT): How many people need to take a drug for one person to benefit?
      • Example: Statins - 300 people need to take it for one benefit.
    • Side Effects: What are the risks associated with taking the medication?
      • Statin side effects occur in 5% of patients.
  • Weighing potential benefits vs. risks is crucial.

Quality of Life Considerations

  • Choice between:
    • Shorter, pain-free life.
    • Longer life with potential pain.
  • Importance of discussing these questions with loved ones in advance.

Stress Management Techniques

  • Recognize that everyone is flawed and mistakes happen.
  • Anticipate failures and implement systems to mitigate damage.
  • Personal takeaway: Installed a combination lock at home for future security.

Conclusion

  • Organization is a gradual process.
  • Continuous improvement is key to managing stress and making informed decisions.