Why protecting our attention matters for psychological well-being?
Ng Christina Elizabeth Shaingamla
Counsellor, Peace Channel
In today’s fast-paced world, multitasking is often considered a sign of efficiency. We answer messages while working, check social media while studying and juggle professional responsibilities with family demands. Being busy has become so common that slowing down can sometimes feel unproductive. However, constantly dividing our attention may come at a psychological cost.
Multitasking involves performing multiple activities simultaneously or switching rapidly between tasks. Although some routine activities can be combined, demanding tasks compete for our limited attention. Repeatedly switching between activities may increase mental effort, making it harder to concentrate and complete tasks effectively.
The psychological cost of constant switching
Multitasking may affect more than productivity, it can also place additional demands on our stress-response system. A 2023 review and meta-analysis by Linda Becker and colleagues, published in Health Psychology, examined 26 studies involving 1142 participants. The researchers found greater sympathetic nervous system activity and lower parasympathetic activity during multitasking and dual-tasking than durnig single-tasking. These findings suggest increased physiological stress-system activity, although they do not establish that multitasking inevitably causes mental health disorders.
Another concern is the difficulty of mentally disengaging from unfinished responsibilities. In a 2009 study published in Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes, researcher Sophie Leroy describe “attention residue”, a phenomenon in which thoughts about an unfinished task continue to occupy our minds after we switch to another activity. This lingering attention can interfere with concentration and performance.
When combined with heavy workloads, inadequate rest and constant digital interruptions, these demands may contribute to feelings of frustration, mental fatigue and being overwhelmed.
Protecting our psychological well-being
One practical approach is to focus on one demanding task at a time. In a 2001 study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: Human Perception and Performance, researchers Joshua Rubinstein, David Meyer and Jeffrey Evans found that switching between tasks involved measurable time costs. Their findings support the value of reducing unnecessary switching when concentration is important.
Managing smartphone interruptions may also help. In a 2019 study published in Computers in Human Behavior, Nicole Fitz and colleagues conducted an experiment involving 237 participants. They found that receiving smartphone notifications in three predictable batches per day improved reported well-being and reduced stress compared with receiving notifications as usual. The findings suggest that planning when we check our phone may help us feel more in control of our attention. Rest is another important consideration. In a 2022 review published in Frontiers in Psychology, Frank Schumann and colleagues examined research on rest breaks and attention. They highlighted the importance of studying how breaks support recovery from mental effort, while noting that the effects depend on the circumstances and methods involved. Practical steps include prioritizing responsibilities, silencing non-essential notifications during focused work, taking appropriate breaks and setting realistic expectations. These habits cannot eliminate every source of stress, but they may help us manage competing demands more thoughtfully.
Choosing presence over constant busyness
Multitasking is not always harmful, and its effects depend on the activities involved and individual circumstances. However, treating constant busyness as an ideal can encourage us to overlook our psychological needs. Mental well-being requires more than completing tasks. It also involves managing everyday stress, concentrating effectively, connecting meaningfully with others and allowing time for rest.
In a world competing relentlessly for our attention, choosing to focus on one thing at a time is not a sign of weakness or inefficiency. It can be a practical step towards healthier work habits and greater psychological balance. Perhaps the real measure of productivity is not how much we can do simultaneously but how effectively we work while taking care of our minds.
