Is multitasking good for your brain?

Introduction:

                           In this universe, completing numerous things at once is seen as a kind of accomplishment. Another issue in today's interconnected society is that we frequently do not even recognize when we are multitasking. Like we multitask unknowingly while eating. Every time our phone rings we immediately check it without even finishing the meal. But this behavior is really injurious to our brain health. In this post, you will learn how damaging the effects of multitasking are to your brain.

What is multitasking?

                           Multitasking is performing more than one task at the same time. In multitasking, we switch from one task, reset our brain and retrieve relevant information to perform that task. We often consider multitasking a win but in reality, multitasking has a really bad effect on our brain. According to research not every human can multitask, only 2 percent of us can perform multiple tasks at the same time.   

Does multitasking affect our brain in any way?

                                   According to the study, switching from one task to another involves additional brain processing because we must recall the representation of the new task and use it to focus attention on the information that is necessary to complete the recent activity. We consequently lose the advantages of automaticity and efficiency that come with focusing on a single job when we transfer between them.

                                   Earl Miller, an MIT neuroscientist, says that our brains are “not wired to multitask well... When people think they're multitasking, they're actually just switching from one task to another very rapidly. And every time they do, there's a cognitive cost."

                                Whenever we are performing two or more tasks at the same time like having lunch along with checking our emails, we are actually putting a burden on our cognitive abilities. 

                               In another study, MRI scans of the brains of people who used several gadgets at once were performed as part of a University of Sussex (UK) study (texting while watching TV, for example). According to the results of the MRI scans, those who multitasked more frequently had decreased anterior cingulate cortex brain density. That region is in charge of emotional restraint and sensitivity.

                                According to a study, multitasking can reduce a man's IQ by up to 15 points, making him cognitively similar to an 8-year-old.

Why do we believe that we are working really hard when we multitask?

                              We really get tired when we multitask then why do we multitask? 

Because our brains adore dopamine, we are prodded to repeatedly switch between small mini-tasks that provide us with immediate reward. Bad brain habits are encouraged when we switch tasks. Dopamine, our reward hormone, is released into our bodies when we finish even the smallest tasks (sending an email, responding to a text message, or posting a tweet).                                

                           This results in a harmful feedback loop that gives us the impression that we are working very hard when, in reality, we are not doing much at all (or at least nothing requiring much critical thinking). In fact, some people even describe checking email, Twitter, and Facebook as a neurological addiction.

How can we stop when we don't intend to multitask yet unintentionally do so?

                                   We often fall into this trap of multitasking and so many of us don’t even know that we are multitasking. Let’s say we are working on a project on our computer and suddenly we received a message from our friend. We immediately stop our work and grab the phone to check the message. In this case, we unintentionally switched tasks.

                                   Do you ever wonder why you didn’t enjoy some of the movies you’ve watched? Before finding the answer, remember are you using your phone while watching movies? If yes, then this is the answer, why you didn’t enjoy the movie? You only enjoy something when your brain is fully focused on it, but if you are multitasking even in your leisure or free time then you can’t get relaxed even in your free time. Because your brain is consuming the same amount of energy that it uses when you work.

Why does constant multitasking make us stressed out?

                                      David Meyer declares. The brain releases adrenaline and other stress chemicals in response to unreasonable demands, which makes a person feel "on edge." These hormones provide you a short boost of energy, but they won't help you multitask. According to David Meyer, multitasking stress can eventually turn harmful. A constant stream of stress hormones can tax the body and risk well-being.

How can you avoid multitasking?

                                      You can avoid multitasking by scheduling your work in the following way:

• Switch off all your devices whenever doing something important.

• Whenever you are eating, keep all devices off even the TV.

• Try to perform a single task at a time if you are washing the dishes then only think about them, not the other tasks which you have to do.

• Make some priorities for the tasks which you have to do in the day.

• When you are performing some important tasks your thoughts shouldn’t go towards something unimportant.

• Take breaks (it helps your mind to get fresh again).