The past is the past. Leave it there. Mistakes were made, slaps were dished out, parties got out of control, weddings were crashed. It's done, over. Choose today to make the right decisions based on life's lessons learned, and form the right habits. Because we are the results of what we regularly do, and we have the wisdom not to repeat yesterday's mistakes. Make today a new beginning.
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.
Starting your day off right will have a significant impact on the rest of your day, and ultimately on your financial success and happiness. The neuroscientist Andrew Huberman at the Stanford School of Medicine recommend six habitual changes. Do this, and you won't recognize yourself over a month from now. Try to make the next six steps part of your daily routine.
