“…Everyone’s bragging about multitasking these days like it’s some super skill. I’m sure that was part of what you told them before you nailed the job, isn’t it?”
“Yes! How do you know?”
“As you well know, I’m almost done studying medicine and I know these things. It’s painful employers love to see these in CVs and you know what, job seekers fall for this bait to their detriment. Even we doctors are not left out; at least – not those in the general hospitals. The thing is, our brains can’t really handle it. We just hop from one thing to another and get drained.”
“Then why do we keep saying we’re good at it? Why do people hype it?”
“Because that’s what potential employers want to see, that’s what they want to hear! Stress is what sneaks in and tries to do all those tasks at once. Stress is the real multitasker – it messes with our focus, big time.”
“What? So, being a multitasker is just being stressed out?”
“Pretty much so. Sometimes, just focusing on one task and smashing it – is way smarter, not juggling a hundred.”
“So, our brains aren’t built for that.”
“No!”
“Hmmm! I see, I got that, thanks!
When Stress Takes Over the Madness:
Multitasking harms health by increasing stress, anxiety, and mental fatigue. It drains brain energy, reduces focus, and raises cortisol, the stress hormone. This constant task-switching impairs memory, decision-making, and creativity, while increasing errors and even one’s heart rate.
The human brain, contrary to popular belief, is not designed for true multitasking. When we think we are multitasking, what our brain is really doing is rapidly switching its focus from one task to another. This task-switching process requires extra effort and time, reducing efficiency and increasing the likelihood of errors. Neuroscientific research shows that our brain’s control networks become overburdened when we try to juggle multiple complex tasks simultaneously, leading to diminished performance and mental fatigue.
While your brain is limited in its ability to multitask, stress behaves quite differently. Stress is a powerful and often unconscious force that can “multitask” by triggering multiple physiological and psychological responses at once. Stress releases hormones like cortisol and adrenaline that affect various body systems simultaneously – raising heart rate, sharpening senses, and priming muscles for action, all while influencing emotional and cognitive processes. This multifaceted activation can feel overwhelming, hijacking your attention and making it nearly impossible for your brain to focus on one thing at a time. I’m sure that is not what you want for yourself.
In essence, your brain is a ‘monotasker’ by nature, best optimized by focused, built for sequential attention on tasks. Meanwhile, your stress can flood your system with multitasking responses that distract and derail your cognitive capabilities. Understanding this difference is key to managing your workload and emotions effectively – by reducing stress and allowing your brain to engage fully with one task at a time, you can improve productivity, decision-making, and overall mental well-being.
So, while your brain struggles to multitask, your stress can multitask for you and often to your detriment. The challenge is to keep stress in check so your brain can do what it does best, which is to focus deeply and think clearly.
Some Doctors Got these to Say:
1. Dr. Erere Otrofanowei (University of Lagos) discusses how prolonged stress in Nigerian healthcare workers, worsened by multitasking due to heavy workloads, burnout, and poor work conditions, can impair mental health and reduce coping ability. He emphasizes the need for social, psychological support, and better working environments to manage stress effectively.
2. Dr. Damilola Agboyinu, a medical doctor and healthcare management professional, highlights that stress is a natural response but managing it is vital for mental well-being and optimal function. He discusses the importance of recognizing stress, its link with anxiety, and managing these through awareness and healthy coping mechanisms, especially in demanding roles that require multitasking.
3. Dr. Adegbaju Adedapo (Psychiatrist, Lagos) focuses on professional mental health support, counseling, and therapy as key to managing stress and preventing burnout in multitasking environments. He advocates for increased access to psychiatric care and stress management interventions to help individuals maintain focus and productivity.
Coping Mechanism at Work:
So how do we handle multitasking as it is prevalent in most work places? Let’s see what you can do if it’s what you are going through:
1. Tackle the important stuff first to keep things moving.
2. Block out time for each task so you don’t get all over the place.
3. Take quick breaks to clear your head and avoid feeling wiped out.
4. Stay present with a little mindfulness – it really helps calm the chaos.
5. Keep your goals real so you’re not stressing yourself out.
6. Use handy tools like to-do lists to keep track without losing your mind.
7. Pass some tasks to others (delegate) when you can, it makes life easier.
8. Keep yourself healthy with good sleep, food, and some exercise to stay sharp.
What’s More?
Focusing on one task at a time helps improve productivity and protects your brain from stress-related harm.
So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to break free from the madness of multitasking, where stress hijacks your brain’s clarity. Reclaim your focus, silence the noise, and unleash your true potential by mastering one task at a time. Your mind deserves calm, control and success. Trust me, your brain will thank you.
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