Becoming Wiser, Productive And Better Friend. What consequences can multitasking have?
Multitasking is nothing more than attention splitting. Every time we go from one task to another, we aren’t paying attention to either charge, and our brains need to warm up before we can resume the work we just stopped doing.
Additionally, every text or email alert raises our stress levels, we deplete the connections between the various areas of our brain, and our bodies become overactive and hooked to continual stimulation. These effects increase our vulnerability to illness, accidents, and inattentiveness.
Media multitasking is now considered to be “normal.” It is no longer considered impolite to react while looking away from someone we are conversing with to a call on a cell phone. Or to take part in a meeting while running other tabs or sending someone an email at the same time.
The brain’s dopamine system, which controls pleasure, attention, and addiction, has “novelty detectors” that become active whenever these technological devices “ping.”
We get the messages we want to hear from these pings.
But it also attracts our attention, which we eventually become addicted to.
All types of brains are severely impacted by multitasking, but ADHD brains are especially vulnerable to it.
ADHD brains are naturally prepared for the elevated adrenaline and cortisol that these messages offer because they already struggle with executive functioning and are drawn to high dopamine activities.
Does this imply that you shouldn’t play music while working? Do you like to work on a project or use brown noise to calm your mind’s buzzing? No.
I’m referring to the process of flitting back and forth between tabs, devices, and one sensory overload after another.
All brains are overwhelmed by these patterns, but neurodivergent brains are especially vulnerable.
Why settle for only one task?
What can we do to combat this negative trend that encourages isolation from oneself and others?
Pick single-tasking as frequently as you can.
Having trouble with this.
I have a lot to do every day, just like you.
It’s simpler if I converse on the phone while taking my dog for a walk or make a presentation while reviewing my email hourly to prevent it from building up. But I am not present for either work when I do this, simply shredding my concentration.
The stress is getting worse.
Do you? I feel like I should be breaking this horrible habit, but sometimes I just can’t.
You might or might not be able to stop multitasking with your media, but if you can make even a small adjustment, I believe it will improve your performance and make you feel less stressed.
Here are some ideas for you to increase productivity and mental focus.
Make a deliberate effort to complete one task at a time.
Pay attention to the times you are multitasking and pausing to finish one of your pursuits. I witnessed someone using a cell phone while biking only last week.
It’s challenging to focus only on one item at a time The rewards will eventually strengthen your sanity and calmness, though.
No texting when driving, and put away the phone during meals with the family. To connect and take a phone break, use the time you spend doing chores or helping your children with their homework.
When working, put your cell phone away.
It’s one thing to run while listening to music.
Receiving texts or social media updates while at work is something else entirely.
Your ability to focus and work efficiently is disturbed, which lowers the caliber of your work.
To avoid missing an emergency, establish a timer to check your phone at regular intervals if you are concerned about doing so.
There is a pinging sound. Ping stimulates your stress reaction, diverts your attention, and makes you more susceptible to other interruptions.
Use a timer to signal the start and finish of any breaks you require in between work sessions.
Create separate browsers and close any superfluous tabs.
For many people with ADHD, this is a challenging one.
One thought can inspire another, and before you know it, you have 30 or more tabs open.
What happens to your stress level when you see all those tabs at the top of your screen?
Consider asking yourself how many open tabs you can handle before you start to feel overwhelmed. Reduce your open tabs to that number once or twice every day. For tabs that you keep closed yet are critical, use a bookmarked folder. You can come back to it later.
Divide your interests into two browsers in a similar manner. Close the other browser while you are at work and only use it during breaks while setting a timer. Keep in mind that increasing productivity, and not getting lost in the weeds, is your goal.
Talk to others when you are not preoccupied with your phone.
Anyone who has their attention diverted from a conversation will not like it.
You are in the middle of speaking about something that you believe to be important when your phone starts to buzz.
Yes, it may have been routine, but every time you do it, you send the message that your phone is more significant.
This is particularly accurate when parents pull away from their phones. While you may be multitasking, you are disregarding your loved one as you turn away to the virtual world.
As a parent who understands how it feels for kids, I struggle with this.
Do yourself a favor and take some time to consider the advantages of focusing on fewer tasks at once, even if it seems odd or unnatural to do so.
Setting restrictions on multitasking, no matter how tiny, will help your ADHD brain have more processing time. and retain knowledge, generate better-quality work, and be sincere with friends, family, and coworkers.
Model this adjustment in behavior for your children by acting by the rules you want them to observe. You’ll reduce information and emotional overload as you change your habits and develop cognitive skills like better focus, attention, and memory. Media multitasking can be reduced with effort and perseverance.
This is a difficult process, so add a little self-compassion.
Don’t give up and start cautiously.
