Why Multitasking Does More Harm Than Good

Multitasking might seem like a clever way to get a grip on an out-of-control to-do list, but research shows that’s not such a great plan.

By Avery Hurt
May 10, 2021 6:00 PM
multitasking concept illustration worker at a desk many hands and screens - shutterstock
(Credit: Lilanakani/Shutterstock)

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If you’ve ever opened another tab and made the grocery order during a Zoom meeting, folded laundry while helping your kids with their homework, or listened to a podcast while working out, you’ve been guilty of multitasking. Why guilty? Isn’t this just being super efficient? Not really. A growing body of research has found that it’s far less efficient to try to do two (or more!) things at once than to focus on just one task at a time. Multitasking can interfere with working memory, cause students to do worse in school, and could possibly even create potentially long-term memory problems.

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