Dr Roz Halari, clinical consultant and neuropsychologist at The Soke, a mental health center in London, says: “Multitasking really affects productivity and efficiency. We are not as focused and the brain processes information more slowly, so we are more likely to make mistakes. “That could mean not understanding something correctly, missing out on crucial information, or, more seriously, getting into an accident that could put you and others in danger.”
Can we really multitask?
Most experts agree that it is extremely difficult. But it is possible if the tasks do not demand too much of our brain capacity and we carry them out on autopilot, such as driving a car and listening to the radio, or taking a walk while chatting with a friend. But more complex tasks require more attention, and that’s when it becomes almost impossible to do two things at once.
So, in fact, we are more likely to be “task switching,” that is, quickly moving from one task to another. There is still a downside to jumping from one task to another. The brain must work harder to decipher competing information, so concentration and precision are lost. That’s why you might experience that twilight moment where you stop to stare into space and ask yourself, “Now what was I trying to do…?”
Several studies indicate that people who multitask are less productive, make more mistakes, and get sidetracked easily. A study from the American Psychological Association found that multitasking can actually reduce productivity by 40 percent. Your CV may say “excellent at multitasking”, but in fact it could ruin your reputation and your chances of success at work.
There are other repercussions as well. Professor Nilli Lavie, cognitive neuroscientist at UCL University, says: “Our brain imaging studies have shown that too much information at once can cause ‘inattentional blindness’ and even deafness, where a person temporarily stops seeing and hearing. certain things because the brain doesn’t have the capacity to process it all.” While efficient multitasking eludes most of us, Lavie’s research actually reveals that some individuals have more gray matter in their frontal cortex (the part of the brain). that influences behavior, attention, planning and goal-oriented organization) are capable of doing so, however, other studies suggest that these exceptional beings remain in the minority: only 2.5 percent of human brains show. such aptitude.
Why multitasking harms our health
Most of us are programmed to do one thing at a time. So when we push ourselves to take on more, there will be negatives. BACP (British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy) therapist Denise Freeman says: “My clients who pride themselves on multitasking are often the most stressed and anxious. On the surface they seem organized and efficient, but they are internalizing the pressure of trying to do everything.
“They come into my practice room and present a persona that they think they should be, someone who is coping, but they often deny the anger and resentment they really feel about their situation.” Denise has also noticed the impact multitasking can have on sleep, blood pressure, overeating, and autoimmune diseases. “These people are tired to the core,” she says, “there is no respite and they don’t know how to stop taking on more. Burnout is a real risk factor.”
Dr. Halari has noticed the impact on memory in her patients who chronically multitask. “When your brain constantly changes focus, you are processing data at a superficial level and therefore the ability to retain details and facts is reduced. As a result, recall and memory suffer. How many of us have answered the phone while unpacking our weekly grocery shopping and then wondered why the liquid detergent is in the refrigerator?
Multitasking doesn’t help our relationships either.
I often wonder if I am a good listener. I’d like to think so, but my family often accuses me of not listening to what they just said. With my hand on my heart, I try, but I know that my mind is often assaulted by the next task on my to-do list. So if I’m thinking about booking a dog-sitting appointment while I’m cooking a barbecue, can I really pay attention to my son’s story about what happened at his last soccer game? I began to wonder: Is multitasking worth it when it means being absent from the nuances of your children’s lives?
Freeman expands on those clients of his who feel overloaded by multitasking. “Crucial relationships can be lost as they veer toward hyper-independence, which basically means they are extremely self-sufficient and avoid asking others for help. But this can affect important connections, because people feel alienated or powerless to offer support. The multitasker can’t admit that he’s struggling, while friends, family, and colleagues are frustrated by his insistence on moving forward no matter what. You end up with both parties feeling isolated and even resentful.”
Again I wonder if this applies to me. My friends have commented before that I never ask for help. I’ve always worn my coping skills as a badge of honor, but am I alienating those I love and driving them crazy with my stubborn autonomy?
Being a single thinker is the way to go
There is an alternative: one thing at a time. in his book The five reboots, stress expert Dr. Aditi Nerurkar recommends single-tasking as “a way to protect the brain from exhaustion and stress.” This can be achieved, he says, by creating “time blocks” and following the guidance of the Pomodoro Technique, a time management tool developed by Francesco Cirillo in the late 1980s after he used a tomato-shaped kitchen timer. (pomodoro is the Italian word). for tomato) to assign breaks. The idea is to use a system that gives you 25 minutes to work on a single task. When time is up, you take a five-minute break and then restart for another 25 minutes to work on a different task. You do this four times and then take a 30-minute break. Research shows that this helps participants focus better to achieve end goals more successfully. The Pomodoro Technique has also obtained positive results in people with ADHD, where it is typical to move from one task to another.
Dr. Halari agrees that the benefits of “doing the work” are significant. “The feeling of achievement helps improve a person’s confidence and self-esteem, as well as improving resilience and concentration. And the more you practice monotasking, the more the brain behaves accordingly,” he says.
Professor Lavie confirms: “A recent study carried out in my laboratory showed that even very brief pauses in performing a task allow people to regain their attention. And although the brain cannot be overloaded physiologically, the person can feel at the limit of their capacity by trying to accumulate too much information from a multitude of tasks at the same time. The brain simply cannot process all the information, so it is more prone to missing parts, which can lead to errors and be less productive. It is much better to schedule tasks so that each one can get your full attention. “Our research also shows that people say they feel happier when they can focus their attention on what they are doing.”
In The 5 reboots, Dr. Nerurkar talks about how the brain loves compartments and rituals. She says, “Just as your brain is programmed to single-task rather than multitask, you are your most fulfilled, productive, and refreshed self when you’re not forced to multitask.” It seems me a dream. I finally have concrete proof that the purpose of my existence is not Keep life in perpetual motion like a plate-spinning master and dazzle expectant circus crowds with your skill. I can take my time and take a more assertive approach. What a blessed relief!
