Скачать или смотреть Stop Multitasking Your Brain Doesn't Like It

Why does task switching drain your brain?

It’s called the Switch Cost Effect — a measurable delay and drop in performance that happens when your brain jumps between tasks.

Every time you switch, your prefrontal cortex has to reconfigure attention, working memory, and goal-relevant rules. This cognitive reset takes time and energy, even if the switch feels fast.

📉 Studies using fMRI and reaction time tasks show:

Task switches activate executive control networks, including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex

There’s a lag of 200 to 500 milliseconds even in simple tasks

The brain takes longer to re-focus, especially when switching between tasks that use different mental frameworks

Frequent switching increases mental fatigue and reduces accuracy


So if your focus feels fractured, it’s not a lack of willpower. It’s your brain paying the biological cost of switching.

🧩 Deep work and batching similar tasks help reduce switch cost, allowing your brain to stay in flow longer.