How Stress Disrupts Your Brain’s Focus and Memory

anxiety awareness self sabotage stress stress at work workplace health workplace wellness May 07, 2025

Why You’re Not Lazy — Your Brain Is Just Stressed

Let’s be real.

You’ve got systems, checklists, productivity hacks, a time-blocked calendar… and yet by 2pm, you feel like a zombie bouncing between tabs, forgetting what you were just doing.

If you’ve ever said, “I just need to focus,” or worse, “Why can’t I just get it together?” — this post is for you.

Because here’s the truth: You’re not the problem.
But chronic stress might be.

The Hidden Brain Drain No One Talks About

We’re living in a productivity-obsessed world. Everyone’s trying to optimize: sleep cycles, morning routines, deep work windows. And those things can help — but they miss the bigger picture.

Stress literally changes how your brain works.

When you’re under long-term pressure, your brain shifts into survival mode. The part of your brain responsible for decision-making, focus, memory, and impulse control — called the prefrontal cortex — starts to shut down.

That’s not an opinion. That’s neuroscience.
(And yes, I break it down in the latest episode.)

So when you’re jumping from one thing to the next, forgetting deadlines, or putting off things you know you care about… that’s not laziness.
That’s a dysregulated brain doing its best to survive.

Why This Matters (Even If You Think You’re Fine)

If you're a founder, a creator, a high-functioning human trying to lead or build something meaningful — this matters more than ever.

Because you can’t lead others with clarity when your own brain is fried.

And if your default is to blame yourself, double down, and “push through,” you might be making the fog worse.

Multitasking under stress? It’s a cognitive train wreck.
Missed deadlines? They trigger shame — which creates more stress.
Feeling stuck and unmotivated? That’s your nervous system hitting the brakes.

So What Can You Actually Do?

You don’t need another planner. Or productivity app.
You need to understand how stress hijacks your brain — and how to reset.

I break all of this down in this week’s episode of the Movement, Mind, & Meaning Podcast:
🎧 How Stress Disrupts Your Brain’s Focus & Memory

In it, I’ll show you:

What’s actually happening in your brain when you can’t focus
Why multitasking under stress wrecks productivity
A simple reset tool you can use in-the-moment
And why people-first performance starts with nervous system awareness

If you care about doing meaningful work without losing your mind — or leading a team without burning them out — this is the conversation we all need to be having.

👉 Watch the episode now — and give yourself a fighting chance to focus again.

Prefer to listen? Here's the audio only version!