Is multitasking breaking our brain? Experts reveal alarming truth about productivity myths

In today's hustle-driven world, multitasking has become the badge of honor we proudly wear. Whether it’s replying to emails while watching a webinar, walking on a treadmill while attending virtual meetings, or juggling conversations alongside work reports, the ability to “do it all” seems to define success. But what if this very habit that makes you feel productive is quietly sabotaging your brain?

The Hidden Price of Doing It All
According to a report from Unilad, neuroscientists and psychologists state that multitasking isn’t the smooth, simultaneous symphony we think it is. Instead, what actually happens inside your brain is something called task shifting. Rather than executing multiple tasks at once, your brain frantically toggles between them—something it's biologically not built for. This constant back-and-forth not only exhausts your mental bandwidth but chips away at attention, comprehension, and overall performance.

The result? You end up doing many things—just none of them particularly well.

Memory Lapses, Mistakes, and Mental Blocks
Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you were there? Or lost your train of thought mid-sentence while working? That’s not forgetfulness—it’s your overwhelmed brain screaming for help. Research cited by Very Well Mind reveals that students who multitask in class score lower GPAs, take longer to complete assignments, and are more prone to errors. Adults, too, are at greater risk—especially behind the wheel. A 2018 study found that multitasking while driving significantly increases the risk of accidents.

This pattern extends to daily work life. As your executive function—the brain's command center—struggles to manage shifting priorities, your pace slows down and your output drops. Even more alarming, frequent multitasking may gradually rewire your brain, making it harder to concentrate even when you’re doing just one thing.

Your Brain on Multitasking: An Unseen Strain
At a neurological level, every time you switch tasks, your brain undergoes a process involving goal shifting (deciding to do something else) and rule activation (adjusting to the rules of the new task). Though this mental leap takes just milliseconds, those moments stack up—leaving you drained and disoriented without even realizing it.

Worse yet, over time, this constant cognitive strain could have long-term effects on focus, attention span, and even memory.

The Brain-Saving Alternative: One Task at a Time
The solution? Stop trying to be a productivity superhero. Experts recommend adopting the ‘20-minute rule’—focusing on one task for at least 20 minutes before shifting to the next. Create a distraction-free environment by putting away your phone, disabling notifications, and resisting the urge to switch tabs or toggle conversations.

Because in the end, multitasking doesn’t make you faster, smarter, or more productive—it just convinces you that you are, while silently wearing your brain down.

So the next time you're tempted to reply to emails while watching a show or jumping between assignments, pause—and give your brain the gift of singular focus. It might just thank you with better performance, sharper memory, and long-term clarity.