2019 | OriginalPaper | Chapter
Avoid taskswitching stress
Although we often think we are great at multi-tasking, this is an illusion. The brain can only do one thing at a time (except for automated tasks such as breathing or walking). Every time we switch task, we work the brain harder and place it under more stress. Multi-tasking can trigger the flight or fight response, flooding us with stress chemicals that eventually leave us tired and stressed.75 Studies show that splitting attention between tasks is linked to negative emotional responses to study.76,77 Cutting down on task-switching or ‘multitasking’ eases a source of stress.