Multitasking: Between Stress and Benefit

What it is, whether it really exists, and why it might do more harm than good

What Is Multitasking?

Multitasking is generally defined as the ability to carry out more than one activity at the same time. In theory, it requires strong mental control, emotional regulation, and the ability to divide your attention across multiple tasks.

But in real life, multitasking isn’t about simultaneous execution — it’s about rapidly switching between tasks. The brain doesn’t truly perform two demanding tasks at once; instead, it quickly toggles from one to another.

This constant shifting, even if done in milliseconds, demands energy and comes at a cost.

Does It Even Exist?

According to cognitive psychology, true multitasking is largely a myth — especially when it comes to complex or attention-heavy tasks. What we often call multitasking is more accurately task-switching.

The more skilled we are at a given activity, the more automatic it becomes — which frees up mental resources. But automaticity is not the same as multitasking. It’s delegation to habit, not mastery of many things at once.

What Are the Real Risks?

While not always damaging in casual scenarios, multitasking carries proven downsides when applied to critical tasks:

• It increases mental fatigue

• It causes frequent errors

• It reduces task efficiency

• It triggers higher stress and anxiety

• It diminishes working memory and comprehension

• It can impair creativity and long-term focus

• It’s associated with a temporary drop in IQ (up to 15 points, per University of London research)

In short, the more we try to do at once, the more the brain struggles to keep up.
The result? Shallow focus, cognitive overload, and emotional exhaustion.

Negative Side Effects of Multitasking

Multitasking may lead to:

• Lower productivity – dividing attention reduces effectiveness on each task

• Increased error rates – when focus is split, mistakes rise

• Mental fatigue – constant switching drains energy

• Decreased work quality – especially in tasks that require deep focus

• Memory disruption – poor encoding of short-term information

• Reduced creativity – original thinking often needs uninterrupted attention

• Relationship strain – not being fully present can damage personal or work connections

• Wasted time – contrary to what we expect, multitasking can make us slower overall

Are There Any Positive Effects?

Surprisingly, some studies have observed limited benefits in specific situations:

• Improved adaptability – some adolescents perform better in distracting environments

• Working memory gain – digital natives may develop broader cognitive capacity

• Enhanced motor speed – older adults pedaling while performing light tasks showed faster movement

• Neurochemical boosts – multitasking might trigger dopamine or norepinephrine spikes, briefly increasing brain arousal

However, these benefits are highly contextual, temporary, and usually tied to repetitive or low-stakes tasks — not strategic thinking or leadership.

How to Minimize the Downsides

Experts suggest that humans are naturally mono-taskers.
However, if multitasking is unavoidable, the following strategies help reduce its negative effects:

• Automate repetitive tasks – when something becomes second nature, it frees up attention

• Master one task at a time – deep competence allows faster transitions

• Avoid multitasking during high-risk situations – like driving, decision-making, or conflict resolution

• Reduce cognitive load – don’t overload your day with task-switching

• Build focus muscles – practice mindfulness, block distractions, and batch similar tasks

Final Thought

The rays of the sun only burn when focused through a magnifying glass.
Your attention works the same way.

Multitasking may feel productive, but it often leads to fragmented work and unnecessary stress.
By learning to focus on one thing at a time, you protect your energy — and increase both your clarity and impact.