Why Multitasking Harms Your Brain—and What to Do Instead

Calmfidence Council
Jun 11
3 min read

Written by: Dr. Mohita Shrivastava, Calmfidence Council Network Member

For generations, we’ve been told that being a multitasker is a gift—something to take pride in. In today’s fast-paced world, many workplaces still glorify multitasking as a pathway to peak productivity. Business executives even invest in training programmes to transform employees into efficient multitaskers. And in everyday life, juggling multiple tasks is often admired as a sign of efficiency. But here’s the truth: multitasking may be overrated—and even harmful.

Recent neuroscience research has exposed a major myth: we aren’t really multitasking. As one professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology explains,

You can’t multitask. Our brains are wired to do just one cognitively demanding thing at a time.

What we think of as multitasking is actually task switching—rapidly flipping from one task to another.

Each time we shift gears, our brain must suppress one neural network and activate another. For example, switching between an Excel spreadsheet and composing an email forces the brain to disengage from the first task and fire up a new set of cognitive rules. That mental shift costs time, energy, and focus. This is known as cognitive control—and the more we toggle, the more we tax it.

The Cognitive Downside of Multitasking

Multitasking may feel productive, but its hidden effects tell another story:

• Difficulty maintaining focus

• Disrupted selective and sustained attention

• Impaired inhibitory control and reduced mental flexibility

• Struggles with comprehension and summarising information

• Lower retention and increased forgetfulness

• Higher error rates and reduced efficiency

• Increased brain fog and stress

• Delayed task completion

• Emotional instability—irritability, frustration, and impatience

• The Zeigarnik Effect: the brain tends to fixate on unfinished tasks, which leaves lingering mental clutter and diminishes present-moment focus

How to Escape the Multitasking Trap

One powerful insight from research: it takes about 25 minutes to fully re-engage with a task after switching away from it. That’s the 25-Minute Trap. Constant interruptions leave our brains overstretched and underproductive.

So what can you do instead?

• Try the Pomodoro Method: Work in 25-minute focused bursts, followed by a 5–10 minute break. Use this time to rest your mind—stretch, breathe, sip tea, walk, or chat with a friend.

• Monotask with purpose: Tackle one task at a time, from start to finish. This enhances clarity, creativity, and satisfaction.

• Schedule wisely: Use a clear to-do list and structured time blocks. Prioritise tasks based on complexity and energy levels.

• Train your brain: Focused work builds executive functioning, improves attention, and supports emotional regulation.

Monotasking: The Calmfident Way Forward

Multitasking might seem like a superpower—but it’s more like a self-sabotage strategy. Think of it as being a “Jack of all trades, master of none.” In contrast, monotasking helps you master your mind. It builds mental resilience, sharpens decision-making, and boosts emotional intelligence.

At both the individual and organisational level, we must rethink our approach to productivity. The goal is not to do more at once—it’s to do one thing with full presence and purpose.

So next time you feel the urge to juggle, pause. Choose one task. And do it with calm, clarity, and Calmfidence.

About the Author

Dr. Mohita Shrivastava is an award-winning internationally trained neuroscientist and

neuropsychologist, she is the founder of the Cognitome Program. She holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from AlIMS, New Delhi, India & completed her collaborative Ph.D. research training from Kansas University Medical Centre, Kansas, USA.

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