How multitasking drains brain power and simple steps to restore focus

During an interview about her book Body Electric, Manoush Zomorodi outlines how frequent digital multitasking depletes the brain's limited glucose and oxygen supplies, causing fatigue and reduced clarity. She recommends single-tasking, pausing for physical activity rather than scrolling, and using walks to boost blood flow and cognitive capacity. Zomorodi defines the compulsive urge to consume endless information as "infomania" and warns that it hampers memory retention.

Citing research from Gloria Mark at UC Irvine, she notes that self-generated interruptions persist even when external distractions fade. To combat overload, she suggests planning responses to urges, filling calendars with concrete tasks, and treating oneself as an "information athlete" with specific goals. Listeners are invited to share their experiences with these strategies.