Mental Health Benefits of Monotasking

When we multitask, we can often feel overwhelmed. We might like to make it look like we can do it all, but on the inside, our brains can’t really keep up - our circuits get overloaded trying to process multiple tasks at one time. Feelings of anxiety and depression can develop.

We might rationalize our multitasking by saying that we simply have too much to do and there aren’t enough hours in the day to do anything but multitask. However, when we don’t actually get everything done, or we make mistakes, or forget things, we can get down on ourselves, further intensifying negative feelings.

By taking a monotasking approach to life, we can practice self-care in a way that can be applied to truly every aspect of our lives from family to work, hobbies, and more.

It’s a foundational concept to decide to pay attention to one thing at a time. Then it’s life changing to realize that you can apply your monotasking practice to truly anything.

Monotasking can help us:

• Experience less stress

• Feel less overwhelmed

• Be more present in conversations and relationships, leading us to be more connected to others which in turn makes us happier

• Identify when we are being distracted and recognize when we are able to control our own attention

• Get more done! Monotasking is more productive than multitasking and that makes us feel good in the long run. Yes, things may take a little longer and it won’t look like you’re getting to everything immediately, but patience pays off.