Q: Is it ok to multitask?
A: When one does multitask, there is a greater change of feeling overwhelmed. In our high tech world, we are led to believe we can do it all and multitasking becomes a common thread. For example, many people feel they can talk on the phone, e-mail, checking a text message, post on facetime, and cook dinner all at once! When it comes to our brain, at best a two-task limit is the most we can handle without that overwhelm.
What happens is the brain looses track of all the tasks that need to be processed, then something called the stress response is set off, which likely indicates you will fight, flee or freeze. It’s all too much. There is research that even indicates multitasking may even impair cognitive control. One study even showed how multitasking took 40% longer to get something done. Stress from multitasking can also contribute to more errors, making multi-tasking a waste of all you were trying to do in the first place.
It truly is best to stop everything you are doing when things get out of hand. Take a deep breath, and follow your breathing for a moment. Be present, in the here and now, and allow your mind to rest and your body to relax. Once you are feeling calm and centered, select one item to focus on at a time, and when that is complete, focus on the next. You will accomplish it much better than trying to multitask.