We have all seen the busy young mother darting between the washing machine and saving two children from themselves in the sitting room, while managing a phone on the shoulder and keeping an eye on the stove. That's called multitasking, and especially single mothers perfected this 'skill' into an art. A very dangerous art, to themselves in later life, and to their loved ones that will be impacted.
In today's fast-paced world, multitasking has become an 'essential' skill for many individuals. (I put that essential in quotes, because it is not really an essential skill.) Several studies now show that the consequences of this practice on our brain and cognitive abilities are more alarming than we think. This article delves into those studies, the dangers of multitasking, its impact on our brain function, and provides practical steps to prevent such damage.
Multitasking: The Silent Killer of Cognitive Abilities
Multitasking is an illusion, a myth that has been perpetuated by the society's expectations of efficiency and productivity. In reality, when we attempt to perform multiple tasks simultaneously, our brains are unable to give each task the necessary focus and attention required for optimal performance. This results in decreased cognitive abilities, increased stress levels, and a higher risk of mental health issues. Numerous studies have proved this conclusively. (Links are at the bottom of this article.)
The brain cannot focus on more than two tasks at a time, and that on condition that each uses a different part of the brain, and merely keeps switching to and fro among them. Eventually, the brain permanently loses the ability to stay focused for long enough on any task to perform it properly, as it keeps on expecting an interruption that will need attention. Spotted someone with a short attention span? Blame multitasking. Don't even get me started on how short 10-second videos on TikTok and FB Reels contribute to this phenomenon.
Studies Show Multitasking Impairs Efficiency and Brain Health
Researchers have found that multitaskers exhibit reduced cognitive abilities compared to individuals who focus on one task at a time.
A study conducted by the University of London discovered that people who are regularly bombarded with several streams of electronic information cannot pay attention, recall information, or switch from one job to another, as well as those who complete one task at a time. It takes up to 20 minutes for a person to become fully immersed in a task at hand, and when you become distracted by anything during this time, the brain has to start all over when you resume the task. While that sounds not that bad, the brain later keeps on expecting interruptions, making it more challenging — to the point of being plain impossible — to focus on one task at all.
According to what psychologists found, our brains were not designed for heavy-duty multitasking at all. It's one thing to carry a glass in one hand and a plate of food in another, versus trying to read an article while simultaneously trying to watch a movie. It just cannot be done (go try it yourself), but we humans still keep on trying, causing havoc in the brain.
The constant switching between tasks leads to an overload of neural connections, causing stress and anxiety. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology revealed that multitasking can impair our ability to learn new information and even damage our memory. And, it can be permanent. My take on this? Multitasking is literally making society dumber and more anxious.
The Physical Impact: Stress and Brain Rewiring
Multitasking is not only detrimental to cognitive abilities but also has physical consequences. Researchers have found that individuals who engage in this practice experience increased levels of stress hormones, such as cortisol, which can cause long-term damage to the brain. This nasty habit of so many people called multitasking has been shown to alter the structure and function of our brains, leading to rewiring and potentially causing permanent damage.
The Importance of Focus: Strategies for Optimal Performance
Given the dangers associated with multitasking, it is essential to adopt strategies that promote focus and productivity. We live in a world where everything aims to distract us. Can you stand up right now and switch off your cellphone for 24 hours straight? Most people simply cannot, not because they have to have their phones switched on, but because they have become addicted to being permanently connected. That leads to a slew of other major problems I'll discuss in an upcoming article.
But let's see what you can do about that oh-oh habit of multitasking. Do not just read this, but implement some or all of these steps to save you a lot of trouble in relationships and at work:
1. Prioritize Tasks: Identify the most important tasks and complete them first, ensuring maximum concentration on the highest-priority activities. Basically, do one thing at a time. Keep a daily planner, and make it a habit in the evening before bedtime to plan your next day, and the next morning to review it, and to stick to it, one task at a time.
2. Eliminate Distractions: Create a distraction-free environment by turning off notifications, logging out of social media, and silencing phones. Yes, go put your phone in another room, see if you can.
3. Use Time Management Tools: Utilize tools such as the Pomodoro Technique, which involves working for 25 minutes followed by a five-minute break, to maintain focus and avoid burnout. When doing your day's planning, use your phone or laptop's calendar for those reminders. Think of it as being back in school, with the school bell ringing every so often, calling you to another class. There's a reason why educators get children to move from classroom to classroom, instead of keeping them all day long in the same room.
4. Batch Similar Light Tasks: Group similar tasks together, such as responding to emails or making phone calls, to optimize efficiency and minimize context switching. This is almost multitasking, but with the same part of the brain at work doing one task at a time.
5. Take Breaks: Schedule regular breaks to give your brain the necessary rest it needs to recharge and refocus. It is almost necessary too to say you should get enough sleep and be in bed at a fixed time! Avoid cellphones and any other screens like that of television sets for its detrimental blue screen effect, to give your brain a chance to power down gradually. Fix yourself a routine, and stick to it. I cannot emphasize how important a fixed routine is, especially when you want to cultivate good habits.
6. Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine, such as meditation or deep breathing exercises, to improve focus and reduce stress levels. Remember, the first hour after waking up generally sets the tone for your day. Especially, keep toxic people away from you during that hour.
7. Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries with colleagues, friends, and family members about your work hours and availability to avoid unnecessary interruptions.
If you really want to optimize your productivity, and minimize the risks associated with multitasking, you should follow the advice above I laid out. Focusing on a single task saves time, improves accuracy, and reduces stress, resulting in a healthier and more productive life.
Ultimately, I would recommend the world's number 1 self-help book, Think & Grow Rich, or get the full Think Power Pack. It teaches you far more than just dealing with multitasking, like how to establish great habits while getting rid of bad ones, and more. Multitasking is a really harmful, counterproductive habit.
But if you want to increase your chances of picking up dementia or Alzheimer early in your life, keep on trying to do two or more things at once. Maybe I should write an article on how to handle regret…
Sources used in this article (open in new tabs):
Multi-costs of Multitasking - PMC
Multitasking and how it affects your brain health
Cognitive and Productive Costs of Multitasking
Forbes: Multitasking Damages your brain and career, new studies suggest
Multitasking: Switching Costs
Why multitasking is bad for your brain
Why your brain likes it when you multi-task
The Myth of Multitasking
Why multitasking does more harm than good
