In a world where multitasking reigns supreme, new insights are challenging long-held beliefs about productivity, mental well-being, and the true value of focusing on one thing at a time. A recent feature in Psychology Today, drawing on psychological research and therapeutic practice, highlights not only the costs of constant task-switching but also the underappreciated magic of everyday moments when we allow ourselves to fully engage with a singular experience (Psychology Today).
For readers in Thailand, where urbanisation and digital acceleration have transformed daily life, these findings hold timely relevance. Bangkok’s traffic jams are filled with people toggling between apps, conversations, and even meals; teenagers and working adults alike increasingly report mental exhaustion and a sense of disconnection. The foundational message now resonating in psychology is clear: while multitasking has become the cultural norm, genuine engagement in the present moment may be a critical—and overlooked—antidote to widespread stress and fatigue.
Extensive studies reveal that multitasking is associated with heightened stress, reduced flow states, and increased risks of anxiety and depression. For example, a 2016 field study established that multitasking interferes with one’s ability to achieve flow—a state linked with satisfaction and high performance (Jeong & Hwang, 2016). More recently, evidence shows that dual focus triggers stress responses in the body, according to research conducted in 2023 (Becker et al., 2023). Furthermore, heavy multitasking with digital media is now connected with a higher susceptibility to anxiety and depression (Becker et al., 2013). The American Psychological Association has similarly cautioned that even brief mental lags caused by switching tasks can diminish productivity by up to 40% (APA).
The situation is particularly worrying for children and teens. A 2025 study found that exposure to screen media multitasking before age three is tied to executive function problems later in childhood (PubMed). This data echoes Thai concerns about rising digital media consumption and declining attention spans, themes often raised in Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health policy discussions.
Yet the psychology community is not only diagnosing the problem but also highlighting evidence-based solutions. Central among these is the adoption of mindfulness practices, particularly the concept of “one-mindedness,” a key pillar of dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT). Mindfulness involves focusing fully on the task, person, or experience at hand—even if this takes persistent effort and repeated redirection. As observed in both Western and Thai research contexts, developing these practices can rebuild attention, enhance satisfaction, and promote emotional resilience (Linehan, 2015).
One poignant example given by a clinical social worker in the Psychology Today article involved standing atop a city high-rise, snapping photos of a beautiful view but feeling unsure if the moment had truly been appreciated. This “split” experience is an increasingly common phenomenon, as digital devices and social expectations lead people to document rather than directly inhabit special moments. Thai experts, including those from the Department of Mental Health, have noted parallel trends in urban Thai society, where social media and work pressures pull attention in multiple directions, sometimes at the expense of genuine connection or personal well-being (Ijmhs.biomedcentral.com).
Relationships are also at risk from habitual multitasking. Research indicates that poor listening, which often results from divided attention, is among the strongest predictors of relationship breakdown (Salazar & Nguyen, 2019). In Thailand, where strong family and community ties are considered cultural bedrocks, reinforcing mindful communication may be crucial for relational health, especially in a post-pandemic world where social isolation and digital mediation have increased (Nature.com).
Despite the clear evidence, abandoning multitasking is no simple feat, especially in fast-paced societies. The article notes that single-tasking can be cultivated in small, meaningful increments: fully listening to a colleague, enjoying a cup of tea without checking notifications, or simply attending to the present sounds and sensations. In Thai Buddhist tradition, these ideas find resonance in mindfulness and meditation (known locally as “sati” and “vipassana” practices), long promoted as antidotes to mental turmoil and means of cultivating awareness (Bodhithaimassage.com; Technogym Thailand).
Thai temples, wellness retreats, and educational programmes are increasingly incorporating mindfulness into daily routines, for children as well as adults. Public health campaigns now encourage citizens to take “mindful moments” throughout the workday, an approach that evidence suggests can lower chronic stress, sharpen focus, and improve emotional intelligence (Tandfonline.com). Tourism boards also highlight Thailand as a global mindfulness destination, drawing on centuries-old traditions to promote mental health for visitors and locals alike (WorldStrides).
However, experts caution against expecting instant mastery. The habits of distraction are deeply ingrained, reinforced by both technology and workplace cultures that equate busyness with value. The skill of single-tasking, like meditation itself, requires practice, patience, and persistence—qualities encouraged in Thai Buddhist and cultural narratives. As a mental health official affiliated with a Thai university recently explained, “In Thailand, the idea that ‘jit jai yen’—keeping a cool heart and calm mind—is the foundation of wellness, runs deep. Mindfulness and single-tasking are modern ways to return to these timeless Buddhist fundamentals” (Georgemposi.com).
Looking ahead, the impact of multitasking on Thai society is set to grow as the country’s digital transformation accelerates, particularly with AI-driven tools and remote work reshaping daily routines. Experts warn that without deliberate counterbalances such as mindfulness training and policy reforms encouraging healthy work-life balance, rates of digital fatigue and related mental health concerns could escalate. At the same time, Thailand’s unique blend of Buddhist tradition, family-oriented values, and openness to innovation provides fertile ground for creative interventions—ranging from classroom mindfulness sessions to corporate wellness programmes and public awareness campaigns.
What can Thai readers do today to rediscover the magic of the everyday? Specialists recommend setting aside short periods daily for single-task focus—whether on creative work, conversation, or rest. Turning off unnecessary phone notifications, establishing device-free periods (especially during meals and family time), and practicing mindful breathing are practical steps supported by research. For parents, limiting young children’s exposure to screen-based multitasking and promoting attentive, in-person play is key to healthy development. Community organisations and workplaces can also foster environments where focus and presence are valued and modeled.
Most importantly, cultivating the mindset that “doing just one thing” is not wasting time, but rather investing in deeper satisfaction and emotional resilience, may be the most transformative shift of all. As expressed by a mindfulness educator at a Chiang Mai meditation centre, “Every moment is a chance to start fresh. When we fully engage, we rediscover the sacred in the ordinary—a lesson as old as Thai culture itself.”
For further reading and practical resources on mindfulness, mental health, and the benefits of single-tasking, see related guides by the Department of Mental Health, local Buddhist organisations, and mental health initiatives in schools and businesses.