Try you ever played that game when someone drops a ruler and you try to catch it as quickly as you can? Tests of reaction time aren't just for athletes or party games. In today's fast-paced world, how quickly you respond could mean the difference between missing a green light or getting your morning coffee before it spills all over the table. And yeah, that did happen to me once. There was coffee everywhere. My keyboard still smells like hazelnut. More info.
You can make a reaction speed test as easy or as hard as you desire. When a light flashes, tap a button. As soon as you hear a beep, hit the spacebar. Not everyone wants to be the next eSports star, but having quick reflexes is a plus. It seems that even cats are better at this than most people. When you watch them pursue a laser pointer, you can see how slow your hands really are.
But this isn't just a show; it's science. Your neurological system kicks in: your senses start to work, your brain tries to figure out what's going on, and then your muscles are ready to move. In a flash, all of this happened. Sometimes literally, because a normal human blink lasts roughly 150 milliseconds, which is actually slower than the response times of certain great athletes. Talk about being quick to pull the trigger.
What's cool? You can really practice and get better. People who play video games, drive, do surgery, and even type work on this skill all the time, often without even knowing it. You don't need expensive tools. There are a lot of online reaction exams. Try a couple, and believe me, your frustration—like when you click half a second too late—will remind you that you're only human.
There are ways to get faster if you want to. Getting enough sleep can save you valuable milliseconds. Caffeine? The appropriate amount might give you an edge. But there's a sweet spot. If you have too much, you'll be jittery and bounce about like popcorn in a hot pan. It's also important to stay hydrated, but don't drink so much water that you have to go to the bathroom every five minutes and miss all the test cues.
It makes it more competitive to compare your results with those of your friends. Some people say that their reflexes go down after a big meal. Some people say that "bad Wi-Fi" is to blame for low scores. But the data is true. If your average is more like a turtle than a hare, you might want to stop making excuses (unless you want to turn them into a running joke).
It's not simply for bragging rights to have a quick reaction time. Quick reflexes can stop accidents from happening. Picture catching your youngster just as he is going to fall off the couch. It's not all fun and games; sometimes it's just about keeping things going smoothly, one quick snap at a time.
A little practice, some patience, and the ability to laugh at your own bad scores. That's all you need to give your brain and fingers a workout. So, the next time a test shows you a green signal, get moving. You could even beat the cat this time. But probably not.