Multitasking means trying to do two or more tasks at the same time, or rapidly switching between them for example, writing an email while in a meeting, taking a phone call while checking WhatsApp, or watching TV while cooking. It has become very common because smartphones, social media, email, laptops, and constant notifications create pressure from work and family responsibilities, making people feel they must handle many things at once. On the positive side, multitasking can help people accomplish more activities, save time, and manage several responsibilities. However, the main problem is that it divides attention: the brain shifts focus quickly between tasks, which leads to loss of attention, slower processing, more errors, and reduced productivity.
Multitasking and stress also go hand in hand; with divided attention and difficulty concentrating, people often feel more stressed. In fact, multitasking can make work slower because, when attention is repeatedly shared, a person has to remember where they stopped and what they were doing, which takes extra time and lowers the quality of work. It also affects relationships: for example, when someone checks their phone or replies to messages while with others, they are physically present but mentally distracted, which harms social connections at work, at home, and in personal life.
Being busy does not automatically mean being productive answering emails, attending meetings, and preparing reports does not guarantee focused, accurate work. To manage this, prioritize tasks instead of treating everything as equally urgent, decide what is important and urgent, and schedule and delegate accordingly. Focus on one task at a time, try to finish it before moving to the next, manage your time, reduce digital distractions, take breaks, and complete work instead of carrying it forward. An important concept discussed in the paper is attention: when multitasking, our mental resources are divided, which affects concentration, work efficiency, information processing, problem-solving, creativity, and stress levels.
