Multitasking is Bad for Your Health

If you are not multitasking, do you feel like wasting precious moments? You are not alone. We all do it! We all become experts in doing many things at once. We can read, eat, and listen at the same time simply because we want every free minute counts. From adults to children, doing it all in less of a time is the way of life.

Multitasking is not new. It goes way back to many generations before us. If you ever ask your parents: "Are you listening", you probably know the answer to this. My mom used to say: "I can hear you with this ear, and listen to your sister with the other."

However, do you know that multitasking is bad for your health? Studies show that when you are multitasking, you actually are less efficient.

Why is it bad for Your Health if you are Multitasking?

• It can cause stress
• Your attention is divided which can cause short-term memory loss
• Insomnia
• It can flare up inflammation for chronic illness sufferers
• It can actually slow you down
• Lacking the best of your ability

How to Cut Down Your Multitasking Habit

• Focus

  University of Michigan study shows that multitasking can slow you down as much as 50 percent. The reasons are: you waste time switching back and forth between tasks and you need time to get back into each project.

• Take a Small Step

  If you are facing a big project, break it into many small steps. Focus on just a part of it. You will feel a sense of accomplishment when that part is done, and you will also avoid feeling stressed out.

• Set Limits

  When tackle a big project, make sure you set limits such as when it should be done, what you need to do, and how much time you will spend working on it. Realistic expectation allows you to enjoy the finished product.

• Get Help

  Asking for help is not only fun to share; it also cuts down the pressure which causes stress in your life. Learning to get help will eliminate your urge to multitasking.

• Practice the Three P's: Plan! Prioritize! And Pace yourself!

  It is easier to say than to do this. I am a proud multitasking person, but I find it is true that I often feel exhausted and overwhelmed when taking on many things at once. Racing against time is what we are so used to. Let all learn to slow down, and minimize our multitasking activities!