In the television series “The Return of the Condor Heroes，” Zhou Botong possessed a remarkable martial art known as the “Dual-Minded Technique.” Before teaching this profound skill to Xiaolongnü， he first had her practice the action of “drawing a circle with the left hand while drawing a square with the right.” Many undoubtedly attempted this feat in their childhood upon witnessing this scene， and upon failing， felt a deep admiration for Zhou Botong’s ability to divide his attention and multitask.
Nowadays， the pace of life has continuously accelerated， often leaving us stretched thin and compelled to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. We might be on a work call with a client， simultaneously exchanging WeChat messages with our supervisor， and all the while trying to order takeout to satisfy our rumbling stomachs. In the professional realm， multitasking has even become an esteemed skill worthy of a place on one’s resume.
The concept of focusing on multiple tasks concurrently， achieving ‘N’ times the results in half the time， sounds like a highly efficient and sophisticated approach to task management. However， is this truly the case? Research suggests that multitasking is not a beneficial habit; it not only fails to boost efficiency but can also be detrimental to our cognitive functions.
Multitasking not only reduces efficiency but also increases the error rate.
Our brains， akin to multi-threaded computers， possess finite processing power. When we engage in multiple tasks concurrently， the resources allocated to each task are diminished. This translates to a slower response time to changes within each individual task.
In a simulated driving experiment， drivers who multitasked by talking on the phone while driving exhibited slower reaction times to unexpected road conditions and tended to simplify their speech. This explains why conversations with drivers often consist of just “uh-huh” or “yes” – it’s not due to inattentiveness， but rather the brain’s limitations， leading to a cognitive bottleneck.
In another study， participants were frequently switching between a set of simple tasks， such as classifying numbers as odd or even， or ordering them by magnitude. The research found that after task switching， participants generally experienced slower reaction times and a significant increase in error rates.
Frequent multitasking can impair cognitive abilities.
Multitasking leads to a reduction in the total cognitive resources available to our brains， a phenomenon known as “cognitive load.” The more complex the task and the more attention it demands， the greater the cognitive load. This sustained cognitive load can have subtle yet significant impacts on our brains.
In one study that investigated the effects of multitasking on the brain， researchers scanned the brains of 75 participants and surveyed their multitasking habits. The results indicated that individuals who engaged in multitasking more frequently exhibited more pronounced structural changes in their brains. Specifically， they experienced a reduction in gray matter in the anterior cingulate cortex (Figure 1)， a region crucial for cognitive functions. Previous research has also shown that individuals accustomed to multitasking tend to perform poorly on attention-related tests.
Figure 1: The relationship between multitasking frequency and grey matter in the anterior cingulate cortex
Because cognitive functions are affected， learning abilities are also impacted. For university students who increasingly use computers， tablets， and phones in class， multitasking is a deterrent to achieving high GPAs. Studies have shown that students who multitask using tablets and phones during their studies tend to have lower GPAs. This phenomenon is not exclusive to university students; it also affects infants and primary school children. Watching television while doing homework or playing with toys has been found to negatively impact their academic performance.
Even more concerning， a study involving 318 participants revealed that individuals who multitasked more frequently were more prone to experiencing anxiety and depression. This goes beyond a mere professional inconvenience; the initial goal of multitasking to finish work faster and feel happier is ironically counterproductive， exacerbating negative emotional states.
Focus on 5 Points for Higher Efficiency
So， what should we do? The following suggestions are intended to be helpful.
1. Concentrate on Single Tasks: Attempt to focus on one task for a designated period， reducing the frequency of task switching. By setting dedicated focus blocks， you can enhance both the efficiency and quality of task completion.
2. Prioritize Tasks: Create a task list and rank items by importance and urgency， then tackle them one by one. Addressing critical and time-sensitive tasks first can effectively reduce stress and feelings of anxiety.
3. Rest and Relax: Take regular breaks to allow your brain sufficient time to recover and process information. Short breaks can help your brain regain focus， thereby improving subsequent work efficiency.
4. Cultivate Mindfulness: Enhance your attention and concentration through meditation and mindfulness practices. Mindfulness exercises can help you better manage stress and improve emotional regulation.
5. Minimize Distractions: When working or studying， reduce external interruptions， such as turning off unnecessary notifications and social media. Creating a quiet work environment is conducive to better focus and productivity.
Therefore， try to avoid multitasking as much as possible. When circumstances permit， focus on one thing at a time， as tasks will eventually be completed， one after another. Protect your brain!
