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Technostress, Does it Affect You?

Do you believe there is a connection between technology and stress? Test it out! Disconnect entirely for a few hours. Does this idea feel pleasant or terrifying? Once disconnected, observe your sensations, emotions, and thoughts. Do you feel a void, guilt, relief, or freedom? I’m the first to admit that it is often challenging not to keep a constant eye on our screen. There’s a persistent feeling of needing to stay on top of everything, and technology is central to our communications.

Remote work has increased our technology use and blurred the line between our personal and professional lives. Of course, we each have our way of experiencing and perceiving hyperconnectivity. However, we must attune to our internal reactions to this connectivity and adapt our behaviours if we notice that it impacts our stress levels or mental health.

 

The Phenomenon of Technostress

This expression first appeared in 1984 in a book called Technostress: The Human Cost of the Computer Revolution by Craig Brod. Was Brod a visonnary? A study on the subject shows two main ways that the negative psychological impacts of technology manifest: techno-anxiety – the difficulty in understanding technology, and techno-dependence – the over-identification with technology(1).

Another study led by researchers at Cambridge University states that one in three people feels overwhelmed by their high-technology environment and the individual components of this environment(2).

 

A Different Approach to Managing Technology 

Timothy Ferriss, businessman and best-selling author of “The 4-Hour Workweek”, suggests boosting productivity by turning off electronic devices for short periods(3). This encourages proper pauses and reduced stress. David Allan, an American consultant, advocates the “cristal clear mind” philosophy. According to him, this state allows a feeling of calm that gives way to better performance. In his book called “Getting Things Done,” he suggests getting a handle on our inboxes(4). Both of these experts say that remaining available all the time leads to mental overload and exhaustion.

Of course, technology is instrumental and will remain a constant. But, in this post-pandemic era, are we at a crossroads that may help us redefine how we’d like to manage technology in our day-to-day life? First, we must observe our current behaviours to redirect our path. Then, we must take note of the main ones that create a mental overload, stress reaction, unease, or heaviness.

Of course, I cannot skip over yoga! This approach invites us, among other things, to develop better body awareness. By observing physical sensations, we notice where imbalances exist. For example, we might notice muscular tension, short and fast breaths, a sudden headache, a knotted stomach, or pressure in our chest. All of these are signs our body is giving us that a potential stress reaction has engaged as our organism perceived a form of danger and our body seeks to return to homeostasis and balance.

Because stress, we must remember, is a coping mechanism. Often viewed negatively, it is essential to the way our body functions. It allows us, for example, to get going, tackle a challenge, or manage an urgent file at work. However, this coping mechanism becomes fatigued if stress is present for long periods. And when stress becomes chronic, it comes with symptoms that get stronger and stronger and that affect our ability to function, eventually even becoming disabling.

Observing ourselves allows us to become aware of some of our automatic mechanisms, enabling us to choose a different approach and regain balance. Said another way, if we remain attuned to our state of mind, our reactions can signal us to act differently and develop our capacity to self-regulate. More concretely, if it sometimes feels like your phone has become an extension of your hand, and you have an overwhelming desire to pick it up to see if you’ve received any messages in the last 30 seconds, pause to observe your thoughts, emotions, and related reactions. Then, test out the following tools and notice their effects:

  • Take a few calm, deep breaths
  • Place your forearms on your desk and rest your forehead there, closing your eyes
  • Get up, stretch, and move the areas of your body where you feel tension

Speak to your team, organize a lunch and learn to share collectively. Talking to colleagues can create an important opportunity for each person to find tools that support them personally. Happy exploration around managing technology!

 

Article written by Julie Banville, Yoga Therapist and Founder of ZEN&CO, for Facteur H Magazine – February 2023 edition.

 

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