Don’t Multitask: Your Brain Will Thank You

Inc.com recently published an article titled Don’t Multitask: Your Brain Will Thank You in which research on chronic multitasking is reported. The studies indicate that chronic multitasking overloads your brain, resulting in decreased productivity.

Although multitasking is often seen as a valuable skill, the research indicates that too much of it can result in using your brain less effectively, even when you’re focused on one single task.  One of the studies featured hints that there is a two-task limit on what the brain can handle at once:

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Multitasking is a weakness, not a strength. In 2010, a study by neuroscientists at the French medical research agency Inserm showed that when people focus on two tasks simultaneously, each side of the brain tackles a different task.

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For this reason, the article suggests dedicating a 20 minute chunk of time to one task, rather than switching between many every few minutes. Another tip provided is to only check your email at set times throughout the day, to attempt to minimize multitasking.

To read the full article, including another related study from Stanford in 2009, visit inc.com.