According to experts, multitasking depletes our brain’s energy reserves, making us less productive and much more tired.
For years, women have been praised for their innate ability to multitask. But is it really a blessing, or is it a necessity that, in the long run, takes a toll on our mental and physical well-being?
The reasons for mental fatigue can be numerous, from lack of sleep to poor nutrition or excessive work-related stress. Yet, there’s another often overlooked factor that exhausts us more than we realize: multitasking.
If, in the first hour of the morning alone, you check emails and Instagram notifications while getting ready, make sure you have enough food in the fridge to avoid running out at dinnertime, empty the dishwasher, set the washing machine, tidy up the mess left from the previous evening, and perhaps listen to a podcast in the meantime, you’re not preparing yourself—you’re tiring yourself out.
When we enter multitasking mode and feel like we’re doing multiple things at once, we’re not actually performing more than one task simultaneously. Instead, we’re rapidly switching between tasks, and this constant shift is draining.
What Does Multitasking Really Mean?
Commonly, multitasking is perceived as the ability to carry out multiple tasks simultaneously. However, true multitasking isn’t about doing several things at the same time, but rather swiftly alternating between different activities.
This process involves switching between the various tasks, a phenomenon known as the “switching cost.”
Biologically, the human brain isn’t naturally inclined to follow this mental pattern. When we shift from one task to another, it demands a considerable cognitive effort, and our brain requires time to adapt to the new demands. This not only leads to a temporary drop in performance in both tasks but also an immediate increase in fatigue.
Why Does Multitasking Make Us More Tired?
In recent years, our ability to multitask has been vastly overestimated.
Numerous studies have shown that those who juggle multiple tasks are more easily distracted, less productive, and also more fatigued.
This is primarily due to the rapid and continuous switching. As we move from one task to another, our brain must adjust to new demands, necessitating a significant cognitive effort that induces stress and a sense of fatigue.
Furthermore, multitasking can be stressful as it involves meeting deadlines and managing multiple responsibilities simultaneously.
The chronic stress caused by rapid transitions can lead to a persistent sense of tiredness.
**Managing Post-Vacation Stress**
