# Why Your Brain Multitasks

> Your brain switches focus between tasks, costing time and concentration.
- Title: Why Your Brain Multitasks · Nationalpost | Shortify
- Summary: Your brain switches focus between tasks, costing time and concentration. Multitasking causes mental switch costs, reducing focus on demanding tasks.
- Keywords: multitasking, brain focus, switch cost, neuroscience, western university, georgetown university, journal of cognitive neuroscience, news, politics, Brain, Multitasks, Nationalpost
- Source: Nationalpost — https://nationalpost.com/modern-life/human-brain-always-multitasking
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: multitasking, brain focus, switch cost, neuroscience, western university, georgetown university, journal of cognitive neuroscience, news, politics
## Brain Focus Limitation
The human brain switches attention constantly because it can't focus on two things at once.
## Task Switching Mechanics
Two tasks can run simultaneously unless they need the same part of the brain or body.
## Example of Task Switching
Walking and chewing gum can be done at the same time because they use different body parts and don't require much concentration.
## Task Switching Cost
The brain takes a moment or two to recover from switching between information competing for attention, called switch cost.
## Expert on Task Switching
John Paul Minda, a psychology professor at Western University, said multitasking comes down to the brain switching between sources of information.
## Practice Improves Task Switching
Maximilian Riesenhuber, a neuroscience professor at Georgetown University Medical Center, said some multitasking becomes automatic with practice.
## Key takeaway

Multitasking causes mental switch costs, reducing focus on demanding tasks.