Dec 12, 2016 11:47 AM EST By Chris Brandt, UniversityHerald Reporter

For a long time, multi-tasking has been promoted to increase productivity but as research has proven, it actually decreases your efficiency. More so, it hurts you, especially your brain.

Imagine doing three things at the same time - typing, texting, and listening to music. You might think you are much cooler than others because you are able to do three things at the same time. Hold your horses because you are just hurting your brain when you multi-task.

The Harmful Effects of Multi-Tasking

Multi-tasking does not just decrease your efficiency and productivity but it also lowers your IQ. In a 2005 study conducted by Dr. Glenn Wilson, a psychiatrist at King's College, London University, people who are often distracted by something when doing another thing has been found to have suffered more IQ loss than those who are taking marijuana. That's because blood flow to your brain cannot bring all the needed supply to each part of your brain all at the same time.

The best solution, therefore, is to focus on one single task at a time because each part of the brain is activated one at a time for it to function properly and efficiently.

You might be surprised to find out that when you thought you're multi-tasking, you're really not. Instead, you are just switching tasks.

Furthermore, a 2010 French study discovered that the maximum task the brain can handle efficiently is just two. However, if you add a third more task, it will muddle your brain and cause you to make more mistakes than before.

Stopping This Harmful Habit

Multi-tasking only stresses you and one of the best ways to get rid of this bad habit is by learning to prioritize. Which one is the most important? Focus on it first until you finish it before going to another task.

A very effective strategy in prioritizing is finding the difference between important and urgent. You classify things as urgent only if they are a matter of life and death or emergency situations. If they don't have these characteristics, then they are not urgent. Therefore, stick to your goal and your objective until you accomplish them.

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