Does multi-tasking really work? What is more efficient?

  DUBAI – With the work culture in this expat city, most of us have become accustomed to multi-tasking to get as many workloads done as possible. But does multi-tasking really work? Anne Bernadette Bonita, an expert in memory improvement, says it doesn’t. “Avoid multitasking,” Bonita said, urging people to focus on their task instead. “Focusing on one thing at a time actually makes you more efficient. When you try to do several tasks at the same time, it prevents you from concentrating well on each task. This can result to making mistakes or errors along the way,” she explained.

Should you plan for early retirement?

To expatriate workers planning for early retirement, Bonita suggests that they should keep their mind working even while on holiday. “Do not dream of early retirement, where you will just completely relax for the most part of your day,” Bonita said. “It can actually be counterproductive and may cause immediate mental deterioration. You can train your brain by exercising it just like any other muscle in your body,” she said. Solving crossword puzzles can help, she said. “Older people can keep their mind healthier by doing physical exercises, engaging in business or activities that will require them to think or analyze, or even by solving puzzles or brain games. In giving it extra protection, just remember the saying ‘Use it or Lose it,’” she said. Bonita, who also touched on being absentminded, said forgetfulness is a part of normal ageing process and that there is a difference between being forgetful and Alzheimer's disease. “Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks,” she said. On the other hand, she added, “age-related memory lapses have little impact on your daily performance and ability to do what you want to do.” “When your forgetfulness or memory loss have become so pervasive and severe that it disrupts your work, hobbies, social activities, and family relationships, you may be experiencing the warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, or another disorder that causes dementia,” she cautioned. Anne Bernadette Bonita is a lecturer in the free Zoom series Opportunity for Filipino Workers. Registration is free at https://bit.ly/3glv6iG
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