Which activity reduces stress by limiting cognitive load?

• A. Rest in a quiet place
• B. Reduce breathing rate
• C. Reduce mental activities
• D. Manage time

Answer: (C)

Limiting cognitive load means reducing the mental effort required to process information and complete tasks. When you decrease mental activities, you lower the demands on working memory and attention, which directly lowers stress from trying to manage too much in your head. Resting in a quiet place helps you recover but doesn’t shrink the amount of thinking required; slowing your breathing calms the body but doesn’t change how much you’re thinking; managing time can reduce deadline pressure but doesn’t reduce the cognitive tasks themselves. So, reducing mental activities best lowers cognitive load and, in turn, stress.