September 13, 2005
It seems that no matter how much we have to do, we find something else that needs to be done…now they tell us that multi-tasking actually is making me stupid…
Multitasking Can Create Mental Fatigue
For many people, juggling too many things at once is standard practice, but did you know that multi-tasking can actually make you stupid?
A new study shows that multi-tasking can hurt your memory and short-circuit your brain power.
Over-worked, overwhelmed, Americans are busier than ever. In this age of info-mania, technology tempts us.
“At work I’m on email and answering the phone, and doing everything at the same time,” Michele Rubin said.
But, new studies have shown, the more we juggle, the less productive we become. Multitasking can make you forgetful, anti-social — even lower your IQ.
Dr. Gary Small is a memory specialist at UCLA.
“When we’re multi-tasking, we don’t focus our attention so information never gets into our memory stores and so we think we don’t remember…we just never learned the information to begin with,” Small said.
Multitasking puts stress on the brain and can actually shrink memory receptors. Rubin, a 46-year-old mother of three, started having trouble with her memory four years ago.
“I’d be talking and my husband would say ‘who stars in that?’ And I would say, ‘oh that’s…’ and I couldn’t bring it up like I used to,” Rubin said.
The doctor put her on a 14-day plan: diet, exercise, relaxation and memory techniques. He taught her how to focus on one thing at a time.
Small said, “After two weeks on the program her scores were about average for a woman in her mid 20’s and in a way her brain had become 10 years, 20 years younger.”
Dr. Small said not all multi-tasking is bad, just use moderation.
To boost your memory, eat a diet rich in anti-oxidants and boost your intake of omega three fatty acids commonly found in fish like salmon.
So, my new excuse for why I got nothing done is…you guessed it, I am trying not to lose any more brain cells.
Comment by *Mama Mouse
September 14, 2005 @ 12:48 am #
Oh my … I LIKE that article! NOW I know what MY problem is! I’m juggling too much! Yes … yes … yes …. I too must relax … focus … and eat LOTS of salmon and perhaps tuna …. to save brain cells and become younger!
THANK YOU!! (By the way …. I am serious! Maybe this would explain why my memory is getting so bad!)
I know your serious. I am so busy here at home sometimes, it is a mircle that I don’t hurt myself (or someone else). My husband has learned that when I go into the kitchen it is not wise to follow, as I am usually cooking, cleaning, watching the news, listening to at least one kid… Even when the kids are at school, I find lots to keep me going (though there is still so much I should be doing). I sometimes wonder why I dont seem to accomplish anything, yet I am exhausted.
Take a rest, put your feet up, read a book, take a nap, and eat that fish…we deserve a break!
~ Dawn
Comment by *Abbas
September 14, 2005 @ 12:58 am #
There’s an old Persian saying ” You can’t take more than one watermelon with one hand ” !
Pressures of any kind to the body or mind might be considered harmless at time but no doubt are harmful in long-term , which may cause” fatigue” which is the worst conditions for human body/mind.
So we better Beware of Fatigue and not to try to take more than one water melon with one hand!
Good luck
Abbas
Wonderful advice. I will be sure to carry only one watermelon at one time, and rest when I am finished.
~ Dawn
Comment by *Bes
September 14, 2005 @ 7:09 pm #
Wow, that’s really interesting to know. So far, the focus was on multi-tasking and how one was stupid or “too simple” if they did one thing at a time. I hope they do more studies in that area, studies that get published more.
thats right, I have to do at least things at once (when awake) or I would get nothing done. I hope that they do more studies as well…we could use it
~ Dawn
Comment by *epiphany
September 14, 2005 @ 11:36 pm #
Well…I guess I’ve been blaming the wrong thing all these years. You see, I blame my children, who seem to thrive on 2 minutes of sleep a day. Now I come to find out its the…what was I talking about?
LOL…I know what you mean. I just wish I could bottle some of my sons energy, youth…and brain cells
~ Dawn
Comment by *Jen W.
September 15, 2005 @ 12:39 am #
That’s kind of scary. As a preschool teacher and college student, I multi-task for the better part of every day. Now when I say “these kids are killing my memory” I’ll be right.
You have my complete respect. I think that working with Preschool and Kindergarten children is a very demanding job. They are so precious, but they require so much energy and attention. My son has definately lowered my IQ by about 15 points.
Thank you so much for visiting!
~ Dawn
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