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Trying to reduce feelings of stress by taking a coffee break might actually increase them—particularly in men, working alone, who believe it should help them perform faster—according to new research sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council of the United Kingdom. Researchers at UK’s University of Bristol also found that men working in teams could feel more stressed after enjoying a sharp intake of caffeine. Existing theories about stress management suggest that caffeine consumption is a stress trigger. While studies into the effects of caffeine show that it can sometimes worsen anxiety, there is also evidence that it boosts confidence, alertness and sociability.
The new research suggests that the effects of caffeine on performance are likely to depend on the type of task and whether participants were working alone or in teams. For example, when working on mental arithmetic problems alone and under time pressure, caffeine can help, but when working on a collaborative task, caffeine can undermine the ability to get along with others.
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2004-02/esr-saw021304.php
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