When a squirrel runs into the road, you slam on the brakes. Swatting a mosquito before it eats your arm for dinner. All of these little tasks, like collecting a coffee cup as it falls off the edge of your desk, depend on one thing: response time. You could be surprised by the findings of an online reaction time test, or at least get a good laugh if you’re as slow as those mornings before you drink coffee.

Reaction time, also known as response latency, is the short period between when a stimulus arrives (like light, music, or the “Go!” at a race) and when you respond. It appears like it doesn’t matter at first. But athletes practice for years to get better times that can be quantified in a second. Gamers, too, are obsessed with their milliseconds, both in real life and in games. Not everyone wants to smash records, but we all need quick reactions every day.

Here’s a story: My cousin dropped his phone while he was racing to catch the bus. The reflexes of lightning kicked in. He caught it in the air, spun around like a dancer on caffeine, and landed safely with his phone still intact. Was it luck, or did it come from playing baseball and throwing frisbees in the backyard as a kid? Who knows? But that incident shows how quick reaction time is a hidden ability.

What makes our reaction times change? One part is genetics. Some people just have supercharged neurons. But that’s not all there is to it. Your speed dial is affected by your age, emotion, sleep, and even caffeine. My friend says that just after he drinks a double espresso, he reacts the fastest. It may be science. It may be hope.

Let’s talk about different kinds of stimuli. Visual exams show colors or moving things on a screen. You have to listen for a beep in the auditory versions. Touch? Think about tapping a surface as soon as it starts to shake. Each approach pokes at a different part of your nerve system. Sensors and timers are used in fancy labs. All the DIYers need is a ruler, a companion, and good eyesight. Let go of the ruler, grasp it as soon as you can, and measure the catch point. Old-fashioned, yet it works remarkably well.

And certainly, you can learn to be faster. Simple activities, like “red light, green light” when you were a kid, help you get better. Video games, especially the crazy ones where you have to avoid things or hit objectives, help you develop better at coordinating. Also, practicing “mindfulness” (really, really) can assist. It’s not just about having shaky hands when you’re at your best; it’s also about being able to think clearly.

A delayed response is more than just annoying. If your reflexes are slow, you’re in trouble on the road. A one-second delay can make a big difference. Younger drivers tend to do better than older ones, so don’t worry. Working out, getting enough sleep, and even doing some brain teasers will help you get better.

It all comes down to being aware and practicing, whether the problems are online or in person. Don’t let slow first scores get you down. Use these as a starting point. Do different tests. Talk to your pals about what you wrote. You may make it a game for a party. It all matters: quick fingers, quick feet, and sharp minds.

Try it out if you want to know where you stand. Your reaction time is more than just a number; it’s a measure of how ready your body is for anything. Who knew that catching toast as it pops out of the toaster was a sport? Stay alert, keep your fingers moving, and remember that sometimes the fastest answer is better than the most information. The clock is always ticking, whether you’re a gamer, an athlete, or just trying not to spill your drink.