Generally speaking, multitasking makes you worse at everything. There’s plenty of scientific research to back this up, and you probably have your own anecdotal evidence to back it up. But sometimes you just need it—and sometimes it’s just okay. The times when multitasking actually works are pretty rare and specific, so here’s what you need to know.
Multitasking is a myth, and trying it comes with neurobiological costs | Big Think
When you multitask, you interrupt yourself and your progress with every task you do. Researchers consider this to be “interruptive behavior that decreases efficiency and wastes time.” Your performance slows, your mistakes increase, and you get less done (or at least less well) than if you organize your day to tackle one to-do list item at a time.
Of course, it’s best to avoid this altogether. Get a planner and divide your time wisely so that you have enough space to do one task at a time.
That said, life is busy. Some things just don’t go according to plan and there’s nothing you can do about it. You may need to double up on activities to get everything done. If possible, only multitask in one of these two situations:
