Have you ever noticed how bad we actually are at multitasking? Sure, we can do it — but can we do it well? Not really.

I can already hear you protesting: “Of course I can do two things at once!” And yes, technically you can. But can you do both things with your full attention and the same quality you would if you focused on just one? That’s where it gets tricky.

In Brain Rules, John Medina explains it really well. Imagine you’ve got a dozen tabs open on your browser. You can absolutely click from one to another — but it takes a moment each time. That’s exactly how your brain works. You can have multiple “tabs” (tasks) open, but every time you switch, there’s a cost. Your brain has to close one mental tab before it can fully open the next. (Medina, 2009)

So yes, you can multitask. You just can’t do it well. Which could actually be a good thing in some cases. 

Maybe you’ve dealt with some painful things in your life. Maybe you’ve experienced some trauma. If that’s you, this multitasking lag could work to your benefit.

When something painful happens, our minds often try to live in two worlds at once — one in the present moment, and one still back in the memory of what hurt us. But just like with multitasking, our brains can’t give full attention to both at the same time. That’s why trauma can make us feel scattered, stuck, or disconnected.

The good news? This means we can use our brain’s “one-place-at-a-time” wiring to our advantage. If we intentionally focus on the here and now — through grounding exercises, movement, or meaningful connection — we help our brain close the “trauma tab” long enough to rest, recover, and build resilience. We’re not forgetting what happened; we’re simply giving our minds permission to be fully present in a moment that is safe.

Have you tried a grounding exercise before? 

Maybe you have and you feel like it hasn’t worked. Could that be that you still actively have that other tab open? 

Try intentionally closing it. 

And then, try this. The 5 senses grounding exercise is one of my favorites to teach to clients. And most people I work with find it very helpful. And it’s simple. Maybe give it a try this week?

References

Medina, J. (2009). Brain rules. Pear Press