Tim Cahill, the travel writer (who redefined travel
writing as an art form), has a story about an attempt he
made, with a professional driver, to set the record for
the tip-to-tip of the Americas race (southern tip of
South America to northernmost point in North America).
Tim worried about giving too much information, like
constantly repeating "we're 2 inches from going over the
cliff," but the professional driver was very firm that
information was always good. It might or might not be
used, but having been given it provided the option of
using it or not, and it might in fact be critical to
their making the record.
When I'm told that I'm 2 inches from going over the
cliff, I remember the story, take a deep breath as you
did, and work at taking in the information. And then
smile at the remembrance of Cahill's story.