Which practice is NOT recommended to improve stress resistance for pilots?

• A. Multitask and rush decisions.
• B. Stay prepared.
• C. Slow down.
• D. Make deliberate decisions.

Answer: (A)

When you’re under stress, your ability to process information becomes limited and you rely more on a structured, deliberate approach rather than fast, scattered actions. Multitasking and rushing decisions pulls attention in many directions at once, fragments your working memory, and increases the chance you’ll miss important cues or skip essential steps. That pattern elevates risk and undermines stress resistance.

In contrast, staying prepared reduces uncertainty and chemical and cognitive load by having plans, checklists, and rehearsed responses ready. Slowing down gives you time to accurately perceive the situation, verify data, and avoid hasty errors. Making deliberate decisions uses a methodical process to evaluate options and choose the best course of action rather than reacting impulsively. All of these practices strengthen performance under pressure.

So the practice that is not recommended to improve stress resistance is multitasking and rushing decisions.