Is multitasking the key to beating stress? The truth, plus 5 common myths debunked 🧠

Let’s start with Sarah’s typical evening: she’s studying for a math exam, replying to group chat messages, and sipping coffee while a podcast plays in the background. By the end of the night, she’s exhausted—her notes are messy, she missed half the podcast, and she still hasn’t finished her practice problems. She blames herself for not being “good at multitasking.” But what if the problem isn’t her? What if multitasking itself is the stressor?

The Truth About Multitasking

Contrary to popular belief, true multitasking (doing two active cognitive tasks at once) isn’t possible for most people. What we call multitasking is actually task-switching: our brain rapidly jumps between tasks, using extra energy to refocus each time. This constant switching increases cognitive load, leading to higher stress levels and lower quality work.

5 Common Multitasking Myths Debunked

Myth 1: Multitasking saves time

Studies show that task-switching can add up to 40% more time to your work. For example, if you spend 10 minutes on a report, then switch to an email for 5 minutes, it takes longer to get back into the report than if you’d finished it first.

Myth 2: Multitasking makes you more productive

When you switch tasks, your brain doesn’t fully disengage from the first one. This leads to “attention residue”—leftover focus on the previous task, which reduces the quality of your current work. You might finish more tasks, but they’re likely less accurate.

Myth 3: Everyone can multitask well

Only a small percentage of people (about 2-3%) are “supertaskers” who can handle two cognitive tasks at once without a drop in performance. For the rest of us, multitasking is a recipe for stress and mistakes.

Myth 4: Multitasking helps with stress (by getting more done)

The constant mental juggling of tasks triggers the body’s stress response—releasing cortisol, the stress hormone. Over time, this can lead to chronic stress, fatigue, and even burnout.

Myth 5: Multitasking is a skill you can master

While you can get better at task-switching, you’ll never eliminate the cognitive cost. The best way to reduce stress and improve productivity is to focus on one task at a time.

Let’s compare single-tasking vs multitasking to see the difference:

“Do one thing at a time, and do it well. This is the secret of success.” — Unknown

This quote sums it up: focusing on one task at a time doesn’t just make you more successful—it also reduces the stress that comes from trying to do too much at once. Sarah decided to try single-tasking for a week: she turned off notifications, closed chat apps, and focused on one task at a time. By the end of the week, she finished her work faster, made fewer mistakes, and felt less stressed. She even had time to listen to her podcast without distractions.

Common Question About Multitasking & Stress

Q: Is there any type of multitasking that’s okay?
A: Yes! Automatic tasks (like walking and listening to music, or folding laundry while watching a show) don’t require active cognitive focus. These tasks don’t cause the same stress or productivity drops because one task is done on “autopilot.”

Next time you feel tempted to multitask to beat stress, remember: less is more. Focusing on one task at a time will help you get more done, with less stress. Give it a try—you might be surprised at how much better you feel.