Done with Dieting Episode #146: Multi-Tasking & Your Health

Let me ask, are you listening to this while cooking dinner, checking emails, and helping kids with homework? Are you juggling a million tasks at once might make you feel like a productivity superstar, but what if I told you, it’s actually costing you more than you think?

In my episode today, we’re tearing down the myth of multitasking and exploring how it’s not only hurting your health, but also disconnecting you from the very people and moments that matter most. And guess what? You don’t have to keep up this exhausting pace.

If you’re tired of feeling scattered and ready to find some balance, connection, and real joy, this episode is a must listen. You’ll discover strategies to slow down, be present, and redefine success on your terms. Trust me, you are not going to want to miss this eye opening conversation.

So, grab a cup of tea and find a comfy spot and let’s dive into a journey that could change the way that you approach life forever. This one is for you.

Welcome to the Done With Dieting Podcast, where it’s all about designing the life, you want in midlife. I’m your host, Elizabeth Sherman, a master certified life and health coach, personal trainer, nutritionist, feminist coach, and specialist in women’s hormones.

Are you tired of scales, food logs, and strict diets? Struggling with hormonal symptoms and the challenges of aging, changing relationships, and entering the next phase of your life? You have come to the right place.

Here, we talk about food freedom, nurturing a better relationship with your body, and feeling great again. All without the weight of traditional dieting methods.

Through a mix of solo podcasts and conversations with industry experts, I’m here to guide you towards a healthier, happier you.

Join me as we explore ways to look and feel better and strive for optimal health regardless of where you are in your journey. But more importantly, to reclaim control, confidence, and joy in this beautiful stage of life.

This is the Done With Dieting podcast. Let’s dive in.

Hey everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Done With Dieting Podcast. As a Master Certified Life and Health Coach, I come across a lot of things that are a little bit of a mystery. But there’s one myth that never ceases to amaze me, and that is the myth of multitasking. You know, what I’m talking about, right?

You’re cooking dinner, you’re helping the kids with homework, answering texts. Oh, and did I mention, planning a family vacation all at the same time? Trust me, I’ve been there, and I’m sure you have too. But let me tell you a little secret. I once tried to cook and talk on the phone and write an email simultaneously. And let’s just say dinner did not come out too well.

But jokes aside, we live in a world where doing more means being more. But I want you to question, is that really true? Does managing to do 10 things all at once actually add value to our lives? Or are we losing something more precious along the way?

In today’s episode, we’re going to have a heart to heart about multitasking and why it’s not the productivity hero that we often make it out to be. We’ll explore how it’s affecting our health, our relationships, and most importantly, our connection with ourselves.

So, you know, there’s this odd societal pressure that we feel as women, especially as we navigate through midlife to constantly juggle multiple tasks and roles. It’s as if our value is tied to how many things we can do at once, how many balls we can keep up in the air. And being honest, it’s exhausting.

Now, I know what some of you might be thinking. You might be thinking, I’m totally organized. I’ve got this. But let’s talk about the invisible workload that’s often placed on our shoulders.

Think about those dentist appointments, the school activities, the family events, and more. They seem like tiny things, but they add up. And what’s more is they pull us in a thousand different directions. Making it challenging to be fully present at any single moment.

Have you ever noticed, how it’s almost a competition between women to see who’s busier? It’s like a badge of honor. Hi, how are you? Oh, I’m so busy with working the kids. Busy, busy, busy.

And the other responds, Oh, you think that’s busy? Well, wait until you hear about my week. Maybe not exactly that, but it’s the same thing. Where it’s this endless cycle of being busy and trying to prove our worth through doing. And it leaves us feeling worn out, stressed, and often disconnected from ourselves.

But here’s the thing that’s even more troubling. This constant doing affects our mindfulness and our body awareness. We are so wrapped up in what’s next on the agenda that we ignore our own needs.

When is the last time you really paid attention to your hunger cues? Or even noticed that you needed to go to the bathroom until it was almost too late? I was just reading a book about a woman who accidentally peed herself because she had gotten so disconnected from her body, that she didn’t realize the signals that her body was sending her.

I know it might sound unbelievable, but it’s a real thing. Our bodies are trying to talk to us but oftentimes, we are too busy to listen. And the sad truth is, we’re often caught up in this whirlwind of life’s demands that we lose touch with our own bodies and our own needs. We ignore the hunger, the fatigue, the stress, until it’s screaming at us. And by then, it’s often a sign that we’ve gone too far, and we’re close to burnout.

It’s time to recognize that being busy isn’t necessarily a badge of honor. It’s a challenge that we need to address. It’s not about proving ourselves and proving our worth through doing. It’s about connecting with ourselves and prioritizing our well-being.

Now, I’m going to share a little bit about my own journey but for now, I’d like you to take a moment and reflect on how you might be caught in this cycle and what it might be costing you. Because together, we can actually find ways to break free and start valuing ourselves, not for what we do for others, but for just who we are and our being.

So, I want to take a moment and share something really super personal with you. Something that’s been both a challenge and a lesson for me. So, I have ADHD and multitasking has been quite the journey. Let me tell you, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.

Now, I know some of you might see multitasking as a superpower but for me, it’s really more like a comedy show.

I remember the times that I’d try to walk and text, and trust me, it was dangerous. I’d trip over myself almost causing disasters. Task switching isn’t my forte. It took me a while to realize that it was something that I just wasn’t good at. And that’s okay.

Through coaching and self-awareness, I’ve learned to focus my attention on one thing at a time. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been one of the most valuable lessons in my life. When I’m out to dinner with my partner or my friends, I make a conscious effort to put my phone away. It’s a sign of respect and it shows that I’m present and that I value the time that we’re spending together.

And it’s not just about being polite. It’s about fostering good, close, and intimate relationships and connections. You know that feeling when you’re talking to someone on the phone, and you can just tell that they’re not fully there with you. Their attention is split between the conversation and something else.

It doesn’t feel great, does it? And I realized that I didn’t want to be that person. What I’ve discovered is that being fully present in whatever it is that we’re doing, not only enhances our connections with others, but also deepens our connection with ourselves.

By focusing on one thing at a time and by truly being present in the moment, we show ourselves the respect and love that we deserve. And I’m not just talking about relationships, I’m talking about everyday tasks too. When we give our full attention to what we’re doing, whether it’s enjoying a meal or taking a walk, we open up a whole new level of awareness and enjoyment.

So, the next time you feel the urge to check your email while you’re eating lunch, or while you’re having a conversation, or watching TV, and eating dinner. Remember that being present is really a gift. It’s a gift to others and it’s a gift to yourself. It’s about valuing our time, our relationships, and our well-being.

So, let’s explore how to break free from this endless cycle of multitasking and find a more balanced, fulfilling way to live. But for now, again, take a moment to think about how you can be more present in your life.

Now, that we’ve talked about the societal pressures and personal challenges around multitasking, let’s zoom in on the real toll it takes on our health and relationships.

First and foremost, multitasking isn’t just a quirky habit or a productivity booster. It’s a significant source of stress. When we’re trying to do multiple things all at the same time, our brains are working overtime. Constantly, switching from one task to another. And you know what happens? We end up feeling frazzled, overwhelmed, worn out, and completely just done.

Our ability to take proper rest goes out the window and our self-care practices, they can easily fall by the wayside. The truth is our bodies need our attention and neglecting them isn’t just an inconvenience. It can have serious consequences.

A study conducted by the American Psychological Association has shown that multitasking can lead to decreased performance, increased stress levels, and even long term health problems.

When we’re constantly on the go, we’re not tuning into our body’s signals. And that can lead to neglecting our basic needs and overall, well-being. But it’s not just about our physical health. Multitasking can also lead to disconnection in our relationships with friends and families. Remember, what we talked about earlier, about being present.

When we’re caught in the multitasking loop, we’re not fully engaged in our interactions. And it’s as if we’re there, but we’re not really there. Right? And people can feel and sense that disconnection.

So, imagine you’re at dinner with your family and everyone’s on their phones or a conversation with a friend where you’re both checking emails. It doesn’t foster connection and it creates distance. And over time, this can erode the intimacy and trust that are the cornerstones of a meaningful relationship.

While multitasking might feel like a way to get more done in a shorter amount of time, it’s worth asking yourself, at what cost? Is it worth the added stress, the neglect of our health, and the potential strain in our relationships?

I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to prove your worth through constant doing. There’s value in slowing down and being present and in caring for ourselves and those that we love.

So, we’ve spent some time together talking about the pressures of multitasking and the toll it takes on our lives. Now, let’s talk about the good stuff, the solutions, the tools to slow down and focus on one task at a time. This isn’t just about managing time. It’s about honoring ourselves and living a more fulfilling life.

First up is prioritize and focus. First and foremost, let’s recognize that not everything on our to do list is a priority. It’s time to take a hard look at what truly matters and focus on one task at a time. By giving our full attention to what we’re doing, we create a richer experience whether it’s a project at work or spending quality time with a loved one.

Next, step 2 is delegate or delete. Now, this might be a little bit of a challenge for some of us, but it is crucial. Not everything needs to be done by you. Learn to delegate tasks that can be handled by others or even delete those that don’t really need to be done at all. It’s about taking control and creating space for what’s most important. And you’re going to have to be okay with other people doing it wrong. As long as it’s getting done, that’s all that matters.

Step three is creating a mindfulness practice. I think Mindfulness needs a PR Reboot. It isn’t just a buzzword, it’s actually a powerful tool. By taking moments throughout the day to breathe, to tune into your body, and to be present, you can transform your relationship with time and yourself. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Even a few deep breaths can make a huge difference.

Step four is redefining what it means to be successful. Now, this might be the most significant shift at all. We need to step away from the idea that our worth is tied to how much we do. We’re not in a race to be the busiest. Success can be redefined as finding balance, enjoying life, and fostering connections with those we love.

And then, finally, permission to ‘Just Be.’ I want to give you permission to just be. You do not have to be doing something every second of the day. It’s totally okay for you to rest. It’s okay to enjoy a moment of quiet. You are enough just as you are, without having to prove anything to anyone.

I know these shifts might not happen overnight, and that’s okay. But the first step is awareness. And the next step is taking small, intentional actions. You don’t have to overhaul your entire life. Start small and watch how those changes can ripple into something beautiful.

Stepping away from the multitasking mindset isn’t about losing productivity. It’s about gaining quality in our lives. It’s about honoring ourselves and those around us.

We’ve covered a lot of ground today. From understanding the pitfalls of multitasking to exploring strategies for slowing down and being present. But if there’s one thing, I hope you carry with you after listening to today’s episode, it’s this. Your worth is not determined by what you do. Your worth is inherent, and you are enough exactly, as you are.

Do you find that refreshing? You don’t have to run yourself ragged trying to prove your value. You don’t have to compete in the busyness Olympics. You can choose to slow down, to be present, to savor life’s moments, and to truly connect with those around you. And in doing so, you’re not losing anything. In fact, you have everything to gain.

Self-acceptance doesn’t come from ticking off boxes on a to do list. It comes from embracing yourself, your unique journey, and recognizing that you don’t have to be everything to everyone. You have the power to redefine success on your terms.

So, as we wrap up today, I invite you to practice mindfulness and self-care. Take those deep breaths we talked about. Spend quality time with your loved ones without distractions. Listen to your body and honor its needs. And above all, recognize that being present and engaged in your life is the greatest gift that you can give yourself and those around you.

If you’re looking for resources to support you on this journey, I encourage you to visit the Done With Dieting podcast website, where you’ll find tools, tips, and inspiring stories to help you find your equilibrium. Together, we’ve dismantled the myth of multitasking and looked closely at how this obsession with constant doing can really impact our lives.

More importantly, we’ve talked about the power of presence, of being in the moment, and recognizing our inherent worth. And so, I want to hear from you. How do you struggle with multitasking? What resonated with you from today’s episode? And what steps are you going to take to slow down and embrace being present?

Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences on social media or by sending me an email. Your stories and insights add so much richness to our community and to future episodes.

Thank you so much for tuning in today. Your time, and attention, and willingness to grow means the world to me. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review and sharing it with a friend. It helps others find the show and join our incredible community. And don’t forget to join me next week for another exciting episode.

Without giving too much away, let’s just say it’s going to be a conversation you’re not going to want to miss. Until then, take gentle care of yourself, practice kindness, not just to others, but to yourself as well. And always remember, you are enough just as you are.

That’s all I have for you today. Have an amazing day, everyone. I’ll talk to you next week. Bye-bye.

Hey there, thank you so much for tuning in to this episode. Isn’t it just amazing how we can take control of our health without all the crazy diets, extreme measures, and strict rules? I think so too.

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Here’s to living our best lives and embracing this exciting stage together. See you next time!