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One of the best things about the burgeoning designer nail trend that Cardi B, SZA, and Megan Thee Stallion have all been participating in is that you don't actually need music-superstar money to take part in it. While your chosen nail artist definitely deserves a big tip for their intricate work, the beauty of these manicures is that you don't have to pair your Chanel-logo nails with a Chanel ensemble—you can throw on some Old Navy and go about your day with a high-low look. But in the case of Jennifer Lopez, whose budget has fewer limitations than most, she's all for breaking the must-match rule, too, but in a much more luxurious way: wearing a high-end designer-logo manicure with a completely different high-end designer-logo outfit.

Lopez was spotted in Warsaw, Poland, the day after her 56th birthday, looking absolutely radiant with long, straight hair, peachy-nude makeup, layered gold and diamond jewelry, and oversized wire-frame glasses. She paired strappy, brown, high-heel sandals with a stunning, silky, off-white Valentino dress covered in a subtle pattern of the fashion house's logo.

Photos: Getty Images

But go ahead and zoom in on J. Lo's nails. Her designer manicure doesn't echo her Valentino ensemble, but rather her love of Gucci.

Her go-to nail artist, Tom Bachik, posted close-ups of the incredible set to his Instagram Stories, giving us a clear look at the amazingly ornate art on each coffin-shaped nail. Starting with the Aprés Nail shade Girl Dinner, Bachik added instantly recognizable Gucci details like gold-accented green and red stripes, a snake, and, of course, the Gucci logo pattern. Each nail is different, and some even feature three-dimensional, bejeweled charms, like a cherry and winged insect.

Photo:Instagram/Tom BachikPhoto:Instagram/Tom Bachik

Now if you'll please excuse me, I'm going to take my Madewell-clad behind to the nail salon for a Marc Jacobs-themed manicure, thankyouverymuch.

We live in a world where multitasking is encouraged and sometimes necessary. But focusing on one thing at a time has benefits, including increased focus and lower stress.

Have you ever been scrolling on your phone while watching a show and talking with someone all at once? Or maybe you’re trying to finish a project at work while in a Zoom meeting and answering a Slack message, not to mention eating lunch while you’re at it.

Most of us experience our attention being pulled in many directions at once. We grew up being told that multitasking was a highly important part of being hireable and productive. But is it really the best way?

Multitasking will always be part of our lives, but strong monotasking skills are more important than ever.

What is monotasking?

“Mono” means “one.” It means doing just one thing at a time. It sounds simple, but this is about more than just crossing things off our to-do lists — it’s about reclaiming our fractured attention.

In contrast, “multitasking” is a term that started being used around the 1960s to describe computers performing multiple tasks at once. With the advances in technology since then, multitasking has become a culture all its own.

Why should you monotask?

We process a ton of information between school, work, social media, the news, and our personal lives. Media multitasking, especially, is common among all ages, not just kids and young adults. This can lead to cognitive overload or information overload, which can cause brain fog, impaired memory, and burnout.

In a survey of 2,000 people, more than half continued to work while on vacation. This can increase the blurred lines between work and rest, making it even harder to recover and refresh from cognitive overload.

Although stress response to multitasking has not been extensively studied yet, a 2023 randomized controlled trial was the first comprehensive investigation into humans’ biological stress responses to multitasking and work interruptions in a controlled experimental setting.

The findings suggest that we can adapt to the stress of doing multiple things, to a point. But potentially harmful consequences can arise when stress from multitasking becomes chronic.

Monotasking is a way to alleviate some of that stress on your brain, but it’s a muscle you may have to rebuild. Monotasking may help to:

• reduce stress
• reduce to-do list overwhelm
• improve relationships
• improve quality of work

»Try:A digital detox

How to monotask

We’re all born as fantastic monotaskers. Kids have a natural ability to be present and focus on one thing at a time.

Building back your ability to monotask might feel strange at first, but if you start by practicing with ordinary things, you’ll have an easier time focusing on the harder things.

In “The Twelve Monotasks,” Thatcher Wine suggests that monotasking “muscles” need to be trained by core activities such as reading, walking, listening, sleeping, eating, learning, teaching, creating, and more.

Essentially, focus on just one thing. And yes, you’ll probably have to put your phone down to do this. Start small. A tool like the Pomodoro timer can help by blocking off short sessions, bookended with breaks.

Put your phone on do-not-disturb and try these monotasks:

• Take a 10- to 20-minute walk: Don’t listen to music or a podcast, don’t walk the dog, don’t take any photos. Just feel your body walking, breathe, and listen to the natural sounds around you. You might feel bored at first, and that’s OK — you’re building your monotasking muscles!
• Eat mindfully: Make time to take a break for your meals without any distractions (digital or otherwise). Take time to appreciate your food and chew slowly, taking in all the flavor one bite at a time.
• Observe just one thing: Take 15 minutes to watch a sunset, sunrise, or the clouds. Study a tree or a piece of art. Really look, and notice everything you can about it.

Activities like puzzles, coloring books, or even household chores like dishes or folding laundry are also great for practicing monotasking.

»Learn more:Mindful Eating 101 — A Beginner’s Guide

An antidote to digital overload

No ads or notifications are going to pop up on the pages of a physical book!

Reading eases the brain into a state of calm and may even help you live longer if you make it a daily habit: Set a timer for 10 minutes, silence or turn off your phone, and read. That’s it. Build up to longer reading sessions when you feel ready.

If your attention strays, gently bring yourself back to the present moment: your book.

Takeaway

Monotasking can help us accomplish more with less stress, and often with more clarity, quality, and focus. It comes down to using our attention, and ultimately our energy, with intention.

As you rebuild your ability to monotask, eventually, the urge to multitask will subside, and that’s when you’ll know you’re gaining back some control of your own attention. Your brain will thank you.