Multitasking is the process of moving quickly between different tasks without losing focus. In our culture, it is often deemed as a desirable quality because it can lead to productivity and achievement-based goals. Business leaders, restaurant workers, and parents alike pride themselves in being able to multitask, such as answering emails while organizing a space, fulfilling orders and doing customer services simultaneously, or taking care of household chores while also meal prepping. In fact, some people feel a sense of pleasure and contentment in being able to efficiently use their time to complete multiple things at once. From an objective standpoint, multitasking is not necessarily good or bad, instead it depends on its usefulness to the individual. For those who function well with distractions, which are inherent with multitasking, this approach can be rewarding and effective. However, among others who find multitasking to be a risky habit because of the potential costs involved in the process, it can be ineffective and counterproductive.
We have all tried multitasking at some point, and in some cases, it seems inevitable or most appropriate for a situation. Alternatively, there are also times when it can cause more harm than good. Let’s look at the pros and cons of multitasking, starting with the reported benefits with multitasking. First, paying attention to and staying busy with multiple tasks at once can deter boredom and make good use of breaks, particularly when faced with a repetitive task. Additionally, by engaging in several things at a time, the individual can make progress and feel as though they avoid procrastination. Further, multitasking may serve as a way to increase resilience, adaptability, and flexibility by preparing for real-life scenarios when the individual must manage and cope with multiple tasks at the same time.
On the contrary, there are reported negative aspects and outcomes associated with multitasking. For instance, the act of starting several tasks at once can lead to a negative cycle in which the individual feels overwhelmed, stressed, rushed, and lacking focus while shifting from task to task. Research has shown that moving repeatedly between tasks is tiring to the brain, actually slows down the individual, and increases the odds of making mistakes and lowering the quality of their work. Although the intention is to be productive and get more things done, it actually turns into short-sided results despite what we aim to accomplish. By making attempts to multitask, the individual may become frustrated, feel chronically distracted, procrastinate, and fail to appropriately prioritize their tasks. From a neurocognitive perspective, multitasking results in attention that is spread out across too many tasks which reduces short-term memory. Researchers have also found that multi-tasking can result in increases in heart rates, increased production of cortisol, and thus greater stress on the body.
There may be times when multitasking works for certain situations, and not for others. Our society has conditioned us to multitask in our fast-paced world. On the contrary, “monotasking” serves a beneficial role at times. It allows undivided attention, focus, efficiency, more productivity, and greater fulfillment because the brain is not having to constantly refocus. Ultimately, what research shows is that our brains like to take breaks and do best when focusing on one thing at a time. So if multitasking is a required part of life in our current fast-paced world, then strive for balance, by engaging in mindfulness techniques, such as going for a walk in nature and noticing your surroundings, meditating to bring peace to the mind, or engaging in body awareness tasks to ground yourself in the moment. These techniques help us to slow down and take better care of our mental and physical health.