Sometimes we face major stressors like financial issues or relationship troubles, and job insecurity. However, smaller, everyday situations can also add to our stress. For me, parenting demands are a significant source of stress. Simple tasks like getting the kids ready or answering their questions often trigger sharp responses from me.
I’ve noticed that these minor stressors tend to become overwhelming when I’m multitasking. For example, if my kids ask me something while I’m emailing a friend, I might snap at them. The same reaction happens if I’m preoccupied with work-related financial problems – I see my kids’ requests as additional stress and react poorly, exacerbating the situation.
Multitasking is often unavoidable, such as when I’m cooking multiple dishes at once. But adding an extra task, like replying to a text, can drastically increase my stress levels. When my kids ask questions during these moments, it feels impossible to cope.
Our brains aren’t built for multitasking; it affects our emotional regulation, making us more aggressive and less able to stay calm. Multitasking triggers a sense of danger because our minds perceive overload as a threat. By reducing multitasking, we free up mental resources, helping us stay calmer and more reasonable.
I’ve found it helpful to focus on one task at a time. Incoming texts while cooking can wait; a ten-minute delay seldom matters. If I’m writing an email and my kids need attention, I pause the email to focus on them. Continuous multitasking causes emotional tension that’s hard to manage. At work, I silence my phone to stay undisturbed, and I do the same at home to focus better.
It’s important to recognize our multitasking habits since we often do it without realizing. Multitasking doesn’t only mean doing several tasks simultaneously; it can also involve rapidly switching between tasks.
We don’t need to achieve perfection, but we can aim for improvement. By being fully present in each task and resisting the urge to add more activities, we can reduce our cognitive burden and stress. Turning off notifications and taking a few mindful breaths between tasks can also help.
Contrary to what many believe, not multitasking actually enhances efficiency. Research shows that multitaskers are up to 40% less efficient than those who work mindfully.
During the weekend retreat, we’ll have workshops, talks, discussions, and guided meditations. We’ll be at the serene Aryaloka Buddhist Center in Newmarket, New Hampshire, enjoying vegetarian meals and two-person room accommodations. Some parts of the retreat will be held in silence to focus on mindfulness. The retreat starts at 6:00 PM on Friday and ends at 1:00 PM on Sunday.
Moving away from constant multitasking has become crucial in my meditation journey. It’s incredibly challenging in today’s world.