Multi-tasking: A task to distract other task.

You may be wondering why I am writing a different blog. This blog is related to mental health. Let’s have a look in detail.

Multitasking, a noun which means the performance of more than one task at the same time.

The consequences of multitasking.

1.Multitasking reduces your efficiency and performance because your brain can only focus on one thing at a time. When you try to do two things at once, your brain lacks the capacity to perform both tasks successfully.

2.Multitasking lowers your IQ.

A study conducted by the University of London, found that participants who multitasked, experienced drops in IQ points, down to the average level of an 8-year old child

3.Multitasking can lead to permanent brain damage.

A study from the University of Sussex (UK) compared the brain structure of participants with the amount of time they spent on media devices i.e. texting or watching TV. The MRI scans of the participants showed that the high multitaskers had less brain density in the anterior cingulate cortex. This is the brain region responsible for empathy and emotional control.

4.Multitasking reduces focus and concentration.

According to neuroscientist and New York bestselling author, Daniel Levitin, “Multitasking creates a dopamine-addiction feedback loop, effectively rewarding the brain for losing focus and for constantly searching for external stimulation.

5.Multitasking creates stress and anxiety.

Various studies have shown that multitasking increases our brain’s production of cortisol, a hormone that creates stress. Once we’re stressed and mentally fatigued, anxiety builds up. And this leads to stress builds up. It’s a vicious cycle of constant stress and anxiety.

6.Multitasking kills creativity.

Neuroscientist, Earl Miller, suggests that multitasking could hinder creativity and innovation, “Innovative thinking, after all, comes from extended concentration. When you try to multitask, you typically don’t get far enough down any road to stumble upon something original because you’re constantly switching and backtracking.

7.Multitasking could reduce emotional intelligence.

Bradberry suggests that multitasking could damage the part of the brain – anterior cingulate cortex — responsible for emotional intelligence.

8.Multitasking causes overwhelm and burnout

According to neuroscientist, Daniel Levitin, multitasking is taxing on the brain and drains precious energy, “Asking the brain to shift attention from one activity to another causes the prefrontal cortex and striatum to burn up oxygenated glucose, the same fuel they need to stay on task. And the kind of rapid, continual shifting we do with multitasking causes the brain to burn through fuel so quickly that we feel exhausted and disoriented after even a short time.

9.Multitasking leads to stupid decisions

Multitasking also hurts decision-making skills. By constantly switching between tasks, precious ‘willpower muscle’ is depleted.

The conclusion:

1.Multitasking is always harmful.

Opinion:

1.Avoid multitasking it will harm the productivity of the work.

If you like my blog please comment below.

Dr Saad Mohammad Athanikar.

Orthopaedic surgeon.