“So much to do ... so little time!”
We’ve all heard people say it, and you’ve probably said it yourself more than once. And the solution? Well, I’ll just multitask!
Sure, I can reply to this email while I’m on a conference call. Of course, I can listen to my child tell me about her day while planning that birthday party. Wait. Or maybe I can’t. Maybe that popular term — “multitasking” — is a myth. Maybe the more I spread my concentration, the thinner it gets ... until it breaks.
According to research, multitasking can affect the brain and nervous system in a negative way, states Candace Waters, FNP-BC, of Aiken Regional Medical Centers. “The brain has a divide-and-conquer function with tasks,” she says. “One half of gray matter cells are attentive to tasks and really cannot handle more than two complex tasks at a time. When multitasking, brain activity slows, productivity and efficiency decrease, and we become irritable with lack of focus.”
Constant multitasking can also affect heart health as a result of restless sleep, fatigue and chronic stress, leading to higher blood pressure and increased heart rate, states Janet Utz, MD, cardiologist at Aiken Regional Medical Centers. “When we’re highly stressed, we don’t always make wise decisions about food, exercise, sleep and downtime,” Dr. Utz says. “We may not take medications consistently or see a doctor when we should.” She adds, “The cardiovascular system can become an unwitting victim of the poor lifestyle choices we’re making when we attempt to multitask.”
Waters has some suggestions that can help make constant multitasking unnecessary. “Stay on target with one task at a time. Prioritizing quality time with family and friends is therapeutic,” says Waters. “Equally important are healthy food, enough water, physical activity and adequate sleep. Decreased screen time with electronic devices allows the brain to reboot and refresh. Dishes and dust can wait, but emotional bonding cannot.”
Getting into the habit of organizing your time so you don’t need to do several things at once takes practice, but it can be mastered. Make lists. Estimate the time needed for each task and decide realistically how many tasks you can finish in one day. Plan ahead.
Find a place with minimal distractions to do tasks that require deep thought and concentration — you’ll finish them faster.
“Multitasking is not healthy for body, soul and spirit,” Waters concludes. She says that a well-known Serenity Poem can offer insight:
Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference!
Is it okay to put yourself first?
You’re busy taking care of everything in your life, but it’s important to do these things for you, too.
Prioritize “me” time. We’re all so busy being busy that we forget we need time for ourselves. Carve out time in your day to exercise, write in a journal or listen to music. Stop burning the candle at both ends so you can sleep more.
Cut yourself some slack. We tend to be much harder on ourselves than we are on others. Set more realistic goals and let yourself enjoy a sense of accomplishment rather than always feeling like you’re not quite getting it done.
Enjoy a vacation splurge. You know how there are certain things you only do on vacation? Stop waiting. Find ways to fit the things that bring you joy and help you relax into your everyday life.
Meditate. You may be surprised by what a few minutes of clearing your mind can do for your soul. Find a quiet place and just sit, clear your head and focus on your breathing. It may take some practice to get rid of those distracting thoughts, but it’s worth it.
Talk it out. When you are feeling stressed, sad or angry, talk to someone. You may get some good insight or advice – or the conversation may simply give you a way to unload bottled up emotions. Either way, you’ll likely walk away feeling better.