Multitasking appeals to many people because they believe it allows them to do more tasks in less time. Did you realize, though, that multitasking is a myth? The human brain switches between things so quickly that it appears as if we are performing them simultaneously, which is what we term multitasking. Multitasking is also not a good idea. This post will explain why multitasking is harmful to your health.
1. Your output decreases.
Many individuals believe that multitasking makes them more productive, although the opposite is true. People who regularly “media multitask” by listening to music or reading through social media while performing other duties are found to be less effective, according to studies. The major reason is that every time we transfer tasks, we pay switch costs. As a result of the changeover cost, our performance or speed in completing the work suffers. Simply put, every time we switch, it takes our brain a certain amount of time to “reset” and begin focusing on the subject at hand. For example, if I stop scrolling around social media and try to finish my essay, my brain will need to refocus for a while. When we switch tasks frequently, we become less productive. While we do not recommend doing your homework in complete silence without music or removing your phone from your desk, if you have a pressing deadline approaching, it may be more advantageous to remove all distractions and be completely concentrated.
2. Your memory may be impaired.
Researchers discovered that those who multitask with media have a lower episodic recall. Evidence suggests that this is related to heavy multitaskers’ decreased capacity to maintain attention and, as a result, remember information. Multitaskers, in general, have weaker memory and have a harder time recalling information. This is one of the most compelling reasons to stop multitasking, as having a good memory is crucial, especially for university students like us who must retain material regularly in order to succeed in school. It’s also crucial for us to be able to maintain our focus for long periods of time. After all, one of the most crucial characteristics a person may possess is self-discipline. Even when we graduate from high school, we will need to maintain our focus at work and when we are simply pursuing our hobbies.
3. You develop a proclivity towards overeating.
When we’re dining, many of us like to use our phones. During busier periods, we may be forced to eat while studying. However, according to research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, multitasking during mealtimes causes people to eat more than they normally would. In other words, being preoccupied while eating promotes us to eat more even when we are already full. This is unfavorable since it leads to unhealthy weight growth. Overeating may not appear to be a serious problem, but it is a harmful habit that might lead to health problems in the future. Paying attention to your food while eating can assist your body in recognizing when you are already full and allowing you to consume fewer calories. It’s important to remember this, especially if you’re actively trying to lose weight for health reasons.
4. Your personal relationships may be harmed.
Multitasking, as previously stated, can lead to memory issues and a reduced capacity to pay attention for long periods of time. This might easily cause problems in your personal life if you have trouble remembering details about your friends. While it may seem insignificant, and your friends may be mildly frustrated when you don’t notice you’ve told them the same tale three times, it will make you appear untrustworthy if you forget crucial events you’ve experienced together. Worse, multitasking in front of people you care about by using your phone during a meal with them can give the impression that you don’t value their presence or that you don’t consider them a priority. It’s crucial to live in the now when it comes to relationships and simply enjoy your time together. If you must do something in front of your friends, it is preferable to inform them of what you are doing and why so that you do not appear disrespectful!
Conclusion
Because there is so much to do all of the time, and technology allows anyone to contact us at any time, multitasking has become engrained in us. As a result, most of us have developed the habit of checking our phones while working. While it may not be possible to totally eliminate multitasking from our life, it is nevertheless beneficial to understand how it affects us so that we may better deal with the consequences!
