Multitasking is considered a coveted and essential skill in today’s fast-paced and busy world. Being able to accomplish many tasks at a time seems ideal at a time when productivity is highly valued. People who can juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities across school, work and their personal life are seen as accomplished. The idea of simultaneously dealing with multiple responsibilities may be appealing, but research suggests that multitasking may do more harm than good in terms of productivity. A “skilled” multitasker is just a person who manages to switch topics of attention rapidly. The idea that multitasking can be associated with higher levels of achievement is a deceiving illusion sold to us.

A common reason why multitasking is so tempting is its supposed effect on productivity levels. The belief is that more can be accomplished when people do several things at a time. However, studies prove that the opposite is the case. Switching between tasks takes a level of cognitive effort and time that most people don’t consider, which actually reduces overall efficiency. Every time the brain changes its focus, it has to refamiliarize itself with the new task at hand—the switching cost phenomenon. A study conducted at Stanford University found that individuals who frequently multitask perform worse on cognitive control tasks than those who focus on a single task at a time. The effort and time it takes to mentally reorient oneself can discourage overall productivity levels. Imagine trying to respond to emails, attend virtual meetings and do homework all at once. I have done this before, tricking myself into thinking I am accomplishing more than I actually am. More than once I have forgotten the content of my meetings or made simple, avoidable mistakes on assignments.

Besides the ideal goal of maximizing efficiency, multitasking directly affects the quality of work produced. Multitasking requires people to divide their attention across multiple tasks. A college student who tries to study while watching television or consuming media may struggle to remember key information, just as a driver who texts while driving is more likely to cause an accident. The human brain is just not designed to fully concentrate on multiple complex tasks at once. 

This is especially true in professional development and careers. Professionals operating in fields that require high levels of accuracy, such as doctors, engineers and pilots, understand the dangerous consequences of constantly shifting our focus. Even a minor mistake in these disciplines can have unimaginable consequences for all parties involved. This principle should be considered when doing daily activities as well. Even the simplest of tasks, such as cooking, should receive one’s undivided attention for the sake of reducing the number of errors.

Another significant drawback of multitasking is the increased stress and mental fatigue it creates. Constantly switching between tasks forces the brain to work harder than necessary, leading to cognitive exhaustion. This exhaustion reduces a person’s ability to think critically, make decisions and retain information constructively.

Moreover, individuals who engage in multitasking often feel overwhelmed by their task load. The pressure to complete multiple tasks at once can heighten frustration and build unnecessary anxiety, particularly when struggling to keep up. Research has shown that chronic multitasking can lead to long-term stress and eventual burnout. A study from the University of London found that multitasking during cognitive tasks lowered IQ levels in a manner similar to sleep deprivation. Over time, this mental strain often results in decreased motivation, reduced job satisfaction and an unhealthy work ethic.

Multitasking also has lasting detrimental effects on learning processes and memory retention. When the brain is overloaded with multiple outlets of information, it struggles to process and store key pieces of data effectively. This is particularly concerning for people who attempt to study while immersing themselves in common distractions, such as social media. Studies indicate that multitasking can reduce comprehension and memory retention, leading to poorer academic performance. The key to effective learning lies in singular, focused attention. When individuals concentrate on a single task without interruptions, they engage deeper cognitive processes that enhance understanding and retention of that topic. Multitasking disrupts this process, resulting in superficial learning where information is quickly forgotten or never fully understood. This explains why students who study with multiple distractions often struggle to recall material during exams. 

Overall, the negative effects on mental health and work quality outweigh the small sense of achievement that people gain when multitasking. People should understand the value in giving each task the attention, time and individual effort it requires. In short, quality over quantity. (Note: No multitasking was done while writing this article.)