The Hidden Cost of Multitasking: What It’s Doing to Your Mental Health

A young man in a city street multitasks by balancing a large stack of papers while talking on his cellphone.

Like many people, I’ve always prided myself on being a multitasker. I juggle work, parenting, and personal goals all at once, believing that the more I can do simultaneously, the more productive I am. However, I’ve recently started to realize that multitasking may be doing more harm than good. It’s something I’m still working on, but acknowledging how multitasking impacts my mental health has been eye-opening. In this post, I’ll share my insights on the hidden costs of multitasking and why slowing down can actually help us achieve more in the long run.

How Multitasking Affects People Living with Depression and Anxiety

Multitasking might seem like a necessary skill in our constantly connected lives, but in my experience living with depression and anxiety, it often does more harm than good.

When you're dealing with depression, even simple tasks can feel draining. Multitasking, in particular, can worsen symptoms. Here's how:

Concentration fades quickly, making it harder to stay present or complete tasks effectively.
Motivation drops, and the effort needed to switch between tasks can feel overwhelming.
Mental fatigue sets in, leading to increased emotional exhaustion.
Multitasking (e.g., replying to emails while making dinner or balancing work with parenting) may look like productivity, but often masks deep exhaustion.
Trying to meet unrealistic expectations can lead to emotional burnout and prolonged recovery.

A woman, wide-eyed and concerned, reads a book surrounded by papers with question marks.

For those living with anxiety, multitasking can be especially triggering. An anxious mind is already:

Busy racing thoughts
Constant worry
An overactive stress response is part of daily life

Adding multitasking to the mix creates more mental clutter. Rapidly switching between tasks increases cortisol (the stress hormone), fuels restlessness, and makes it harder to feel grounded or focused. Instead of helping you get ahead, multitasking often leaves you feeling:

scattered
overwhelmed
mentally drained.

A young woman looks exhausted and frustrated while surrounded by piles of books and paperwork.

So, if multitasking isn’t helping, what is it really doing to our mental well-being?

Up next, we’ll take a closer look at the hidden costs of multitasking, the science behind how it affects your brain, and why switching to single-tasking may actually help improve focus, reduce stress, and support your mental health.

The Mental Health Cost of Multitasking: Why Doing More Might Be Hurting You

We pride ourselves on being able to do multiple things at once, from answering emails while attending meetings to managing work and home responsibilities simultaneously. But what if multitasking isn’t as efficient or productive as we think? In fact, recent research suggests that multitasking can be detrimental to our mental health, leading to:

decreased productivity
increased stress
cognitive overload.

In this post, we’ll uncover the surprising ways multitasking might be holding you back, dive into what science says about its impact on your brain, and explore how shifting to single-tasking can boost your focus, reduce stress, and support better mental well-being.

A well-used study desk cluttered with papers, notebooks, pens, and a glowing green desk lamp.

1. Decreased Productivity:
It may seem counterintuitive, but multitasking actually reduces productivity. Our brains are not designed to handle multiple tasks at once. When we switch between tasks, we experience a cognitive "lag" as our brain readjusts, which slows down our overall performance. Researchers indicate that people who focus on one task at a time perform better and faster than those who multitask.

2. Increased Stress:
Multitasking can cause mental fatigue and lead to higher stress levels. Constantly switching between tasks can overload the brain, making it harder to stay focused and calm. The pressure to accomplish more in less time can also contribute to feelings of anxiety and burnout. Research published in the Journal of Cognitive Enhancement found that multitasking can trigger stress responses in the brain, leading to an increase in cortisol levels.

A lone figure stands at the entrance of a vast concrete maze under a stormy sky.

3. Impaired Cognitive Function:

When we multitask, we challenge our brains to perform at maximum capacity, which can have long-term effects on cognitive function. Research has shown that multitasking can impair memory, reduce attention span, and negatively impact decision-making abilities. Research in cognitive science has found that multitasking significantly impairs the brain's ability to form new memories and focus on tasks.

4. Poor Quality of Work:
When we split our attention between multiple tasks, the quality of our work tends to suffer. We may overlook important details, make mistakes, or rush through tasks without fully engaging with them. Focusing on one task allows us to give it our full attention, leading to better outcomes and a higher sense of accomplishment. Single-tasking can lead to more accurate and creative work.

A person meticulously fills out a checklist, with a focus on organization and time management.

Why Single-Tasking Is Better for Your Brain and Your Mental Health

While multitasking may seem like an efficient way to get more done, it’s actually costing us in terms of productivity, stress, and cognitive function. Our brains aren't built to handle multiple complex tasks at once, and the more we try, the more mentally drained we become.

By embracing single-tasking, we can experience meaningful mental and productivity benefits:

🧠 Protect our mental health by reducing stress and cognitive overload
🎯 Boost focus by giving our full attention to one task at a time
✅ Improve the quality of our work through deeper concentration and fewer errors

The next time you feel the urge to juggle tasks:

Pause and take a breath
Choose one task to focus on fully
Notice how much more you accomplish when your mind isn’t divided

You might be surprised by the calm and clarity that come with doing just one thing at a time.

Single-tasking is mental self-care. It helps you slow down, stay present, and work at a pace that protects your well-being. Where hustle and busyness are often seen as virtues, focusing on one task is a powerful way to reclaim your peace.

👉 Try it today—pick one task, stay with it, and notice how it feels to give it your full attention.

Thank you for stopping by! Until next time, remember that you are not alone in your feelings or experiences. I've got your back! For more updates, click here.

Disclaimer: The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice. If you are struggling, it is important to seek help from a licensed mental health professional who can offer personalized guidance and support.
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