What is one hidden cost of multitasking?

One hidden cost of multitasking is increased anxiety. When individuals attempt to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, it can lead to a heightened sense of pressure and stress. This is because the human brain is not designed to focus on more than one task effectively at a time. Juggling various responsibilities can create feelings of being overwhelmed, as the brain constantly switches focus, which can increase the perception of complexity and the fear of not accomplishing everything.

This mental juggling act often results in detrimental effects on emotional well-being, contributing to feelings of anxiety. When tasks are not completed efficiently or when one feels they are not performing to their best ability due to divided attention, it can exacerbate feelings of inadequacy and worry, leading to a cycle of anxiety that can impact overall performance and productivity.

While increased frustration, time dilation, and cognitive efficiency may be related to multitasking, they do not encapsulate the pervasive and often overwhelming emotional state caused by attempting to multitask without adequate focus and attention.