Why doing everything at once isn’t always the answer – and how a few clever shortcuts and hardworking products can make everyday life a whole lot easier.
Ever answered emails while cooking dinner, planned tomorrow’s to-do list while driving home, and mentally calculated whether there’s enough time to squeeze in a load of washing before bed? Welcome to modern life, where being busy can sometimes feel like a full-time job in itself!
We’re constantly looking for ways to save time, streamline our routines, and squeeze a little more out of every day. But here’s the twist: while multitasking has its place, trying to do too much at once can actually make us less productive.
Research into attention and task-switching shows that our brains aren’t particularly good at juggling several demanding activities simultaneously. Instead, we tend to switch rapidly between them, losing a little time and concentration with each change. The result? More mental fatigue, more mistakes and that frustrating feeling of having been busy for hours without getting much done.
The secret to becoming a true multitasking marvel isn’t necessarily doing more things at once. It’s knowing which tasks to combine, which deserve your undivided attention, and which clever products can do double – or even triple – duty.
1. Master the art of doing one thing at a time
It might sound counterproductive, but sometimes the best way to get more done is to stop multitasking altogether.
When you’re working on something that requires concentration, creativity, or decision-making, give it your full attention. Constantly checking messages, answering emails, and jumping between jobs interrupts your train of thought and means you have to keep finding your place again.
Try setting aside a dedicated 25- or 30-minute slot for one important task. Put your phone on silent, shut down those tempting extra tabs, and focus on getting the job done. For a bigger and longer task, break it into manageable chunks, with a quick breather in-between to refresh your focus.
You’ll often find that you work faster, make fewer mistakes, and finish feeling far less frazzled. You might even discover that the task you were dreading wasn’t nearly as difficult as you thought once you got stuck into it.
2. Pair the boring stuff with something fun
Now, this is where multitasking really comes into its own. There’s no reason that folding laundry, chopping vegetables, or tackling the kitchen cupboards has to be a dreary affair.
Put on a favourite playlist while cleaning, listen to a podcast while preparing dinner, or catch up on an audiobook while sorting out the washing. Suddenly, the mundane becomes a little more entertaining – and you get to enjoy your favourite content without having to carve out extra time for it.
Meal prepping is another multitasking winner. Spend an hour on Sunday chopping vegetables, cooking a batch of grains, and preparing a few lunchbox essentials, and you’ll thank yourself when Wednesday’s dinner rush rolls around.
The trick is to combine activities that don’t compete for your attention. Folding towels while watching television? Perfect. Trying to write a complicated report while following a gripping crime series? Probably not your finest work.
And, of course, keep your full attention on anything involving road safety, hot pans, sharp knives, or little ones who need supervision!
3. Niacinamide: your skin’s multitasking superstar
If there’s one ingredient that deserves a place in the skincare hall of fame, niacinamide is a strong contender.
Also known as vitamin B3, this hardworking ingredient can help tackle several common skin concerns at once. It supports the skin’s natural protective barrier, helps regulate excess oil, improves moisture retention, and can promote a smoother, more even-looking complexion. It can also help reduce the appearance of redness and enlarged pores.
In other words, rather than filling your bathroom shelf with a different product for every little skin concern, niacinamide offers several benefits in one clever ingredient.
The SKNLOGIC B10 Booster contains 10% niacinamide, alongside Epidermist, a pore-minimising ingredient, hyaluronic acid to boost hydration, and witch hazel extract. It’s a useful addition to a routine aimed at improving the look and feel of skin, whether you’re managing uneven texture, hyper-pigmentation, dehydration, ageing, or simply looking to keep your complexion looking healthy.
Now that’s what we call pulling your weight!
4. Essential oils: a little scent, a lot of versatility
Essential oils have long been popular for their distinctive fragrances, but certain oils also have practical uses beyond making a room smell lovely. From use in homemade cleaners, to helping kill germs via diffusers, enhancing massage oils and even improving moods, essential oils have multiple uses.
Citronella and lemongrass, for example, are commonly used in insect-repellent products, while floral scents add a fresh, familiar fragrance. Depending on the formulation, these ingredients can help make outdoor entertaining more pleasant and bring a little sensory lift to your surroundings.
SoyLites Peaceful Summer Soy Candle combines citronella, lemongrass and lavender in a fresh blend designed to help deter mosquitoes and flies. Light it when you’re enjoying sundowners on the patio, having friends over for a braai or simply trying to reclaim your garden from the insects.
And here’s the added bonus: the dual use of SoyLites candles is one of their most sought-after qualities. While on the one hand these candles burn beautifully and are environmentally friendly, the warm oil that forms when burning is full of Vitamin E and Lecithin and is an amazing moisturiser. And, in the case of the Peaceful Summer range, helps to repel the mozzies – a true multitasker!
5. One cleaner, many jobs
Why clutter your cleaning cupboard with a dozen different bottles if one hardworking product can handle several of the jobs on your list?
Earthsap Concentrated All Purpose Cleaner is designed for cleaning a variety of hard, washable surfaces around the home, office and car. It’s suitable for counters, tiles, and floors in kitchens and bathrooms, and its concentrated format makes it economical to use when diluted according to the instructions.
The formula contains no ammonia, harsh fumes or acids, making it an appealing option for those looking for a natural alternative to some conventional cleaners.
Less clutter in the cupboard, fewer products to keep track of, and one less thing to overthink!
6. UV sterilisation: not just for baby bottles
Parents know the bottle-sterilising routine well, but have you ever stopped to think about how many other everyday items get handled throughout the day?
Mobile phones, keys, and other small accessories travel everywhere with us. Add baby bottles, soothers, toys and breast-pump accessories to the mix, and keeping everything clean can feel like a full-time job.
The Vital Baby HYGIENE Advanced Pro UV Steriliser & Dryer is a versatile appliance that can handle a multitude of options in need of sterilizing! Using UV LED technology, it is designed to eliminate 99.99% of bacteria and viruses in just seven minutes.
It accommodates a variety of compatible items, from baby-feeding essentials to mobile phones, keys, and cosmetic brushes (provided they fit inside and are suitable for UV treatment). And because the process doesn’t require water, added chemicals, or heat, it offers a convenient alternative to traditional sterilising methods.
Simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions, and clean items first where needed – UV treatment is designed for sanitising, not removing visible dirt or residue.
7. Body oil: one bottle, plenty of possibilities
A versatile body oil is another bathroom-cupboard hero, especially when you’re looking to simplify your skincare routine without sacrificing a little pampering.
The Bodylab Science Collagen Complex + Body Oil is a fast-absorbing blend that enhances skin elasticity and hydration with its collagen-infused formula. Designed to help lock in moisture and leave skin feeling soft, silky and replenished, it can be applied directly to the body as directed or mixed with a suitable body cream for an extra-rich moisturising treat.
Feeling like a home-spa moment? Add a little to your bath to enjoy a more indulgent soak. You can even combine the oil with salt to make a simple homemade foot scrub – perfect for a little at-home pampering after a long day on your feet. Avoid scrubbing cracked or irritated skin, and take care when getting out of an oil-enhanced bath!
It’s a reminder that sometimes the most useful products aren’t necessarily the ones with the longest ingredient lists or the fanciest packaging, but the ones that work hard in several different ways.
The bottom line: work smarter, not harder
Being a multitasking marvel isn’t about running yourself ragged or trying to cram six hours of work into three. It’s about finding little ways to make life run more smoothly.
Give your brain a break by concentrating on one demanding task at a time. Make mundane chores more enjoyable by pairing them with something you love. And look for versatile ingredients and products that can simplify your routines without adding more clutter.
The real win isn’t doing everything at once. It’s getting the important things done, having a little more time to yourself, and still having enough energy left to enjoy that well-earned cup of tea.
