What is Technostress and How to Deal with It

Imagine you are at work. Your inbox is flooded with urgent emails, your phone is constantly beeping with notifications, and, if that were not enough, you have to keep learning new things. Welcome to the lifestyle of today’s technologically focused society where there is a growing expectation to learn and adapt to new tools while living in a nonstop environment of connectivity stress.

This constant force of technological evolution represents not only challenges but opportunities for growth. A better understanding of the concept of technostress is important to both maintain a productive and balanced work/life dynamic.

What is technostress?

Technostress is defined as the psychological stress one feels due to the difficult use of technology. Coining this term in 1984, Craig Brod defined technostress as almost purely psychological and emotional stress beset on the unsuspecting user of a constantly evolving technology. A technostressed individual, for instance, may be dealing with difficulties in using or adapting to technological tools – and resulting symptoms could range from information overload, constant connectivity, and continuous upgrades, to name a few.

Aside from triggering mental health issues, such as burnout and anxiety, technostress can also take a toll on one’s physical health. As people begin to experience symptoms such as irritation, tiredness, and lower job satisfaction, they are, in essence, under the impact of technostress requiring consideration. The concept of technostress, once understood by people and organizations, can be a preventive measure that helps increase productivity and mental health.

Types Of Technostress

Techno-overload

This happens when people are overwhelmed by a constant flow of digital information, like emails, messages, and alerts. It leads to an increased workload, demanding quick responses and processing. As the volume of information increases, cognitive ability can suffer, making it harder to focus.

Techno-invasion

Here, technology seeps into personal life, blurring the lines between work and relaxation. With remote work and constant connectivity, people often find themselves answering work emails or dealing with tasks during their downtime. This intrusion disrupts family time and quality relaxation, ultimately affecting personal well-being.

Techno-complexity

Complicated tech systems can leave people feeling frustrated and incompetent. The more complex the system, the more challenging it becomes to trust automation, leading to increased frustration and self-doubt when navigating new tools or interfaces.

Techno-uncertainty

With constant updates and changes to software and interfaces, people face ongoing adjustments to their work patterns and environments. This uncertainty creates a sense of confusion, forcing individuals to adapt quickly, often resulting in stress and mental exhaustion.

Techno-insecurity

This type of stress comes from the fear of being replaced by automation or more tech-savvy peers. The rapid pace of technological change can make individuals feel insecure about their job security and career prospects, as they worry about staying relevant in an ever-evolving tech landscape.

The effect of technostress

Technostress doesn’t just create emotional discomfort; it can also lead to negative impacts on productivity and well-being. Recognizing these effects is the first step in addressing them. Here are some areas affected by technostress:

Decreased Job Satisfaction

The constant intrusion of technology into personal time can diminish job satisfaction. This erosion of work-life balance reduces motivation and engagement, leading to lower performance and fulfillment at work.

Declining Productivity

Frequent interruptions from technology can make multitasking more difficult and lead to mistakes or delays. Juggling multiple digital tasks often disrupts both personal and professional goals, resulting in lower productivity.

Physical Health Issues

Prolonged screen time can strain eyesight, disrupt sleep, and lead to frequent headaches. These health problems contribute to a general sense of discomfort, which can hinder effective use of technology meant to improve efficiency and quality of life.

Burnout and Absenteeism

Chronic technostress can lead to burnout, characterized by physical exhaustion, disengagement from work, and a lack of pride in one’s career. This not only affects career satisfaction but can also lead to increased absenteeism and long-term health issues.

Strained Relationships

Excessive use of digital communication can make people feel isolated and unsatisfied with their relationships. Technology often reduces the quality of interactions with family and friends, impacting personal connections and social well-being.

How to deal with technostress?

Addressing technostress requires mindful strategies that help create a healthy relationship with technology. Here are some tips:

Set Clear Boundaries

Establish limits on screen time by taking regular breaks, focusing on tasks without digital distractions, and reducing prolonged exposure to tech. This can help maintain focus and improve productivity.

Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness exercises and relaxation techniques can keep your digital habits in check, fostering a more balanced approach to both work and personal life, leading to healthier interactions with technology.

Engage in Offline Activities

Pursuing offline hobbies, spending time with loved ones, or getting outdoors can help counteract digital fatigue. These activities promote mental recovery and help reset your perspective.

Promote a Supportive Culture

Organizations should raise awareness of technostress, encourage open communication, and provide support for employees. A well-being-focused culture can reduce stress and improve overall interactions with tech.

Seek Professional Help

If technostress becomes overwhelming, seeking professional counseling can provide strategies for managing stress and establishing a more balanced relationship with technology.

Conquer technostress today

Technostress is a complex issue, but knowledge is power. By being aware of its symptoms and understanding its nature, people can learn how to deal with it. Through increased awareness and the use of preventive tools, technostress can be countered, leading to better personal health and work performance. WOT is one of the tools to make the online world not only safer but also healthier.

FAQs

How does technostress differ from digital fatigue?

Technostress, on the other hand, concerns anxiety and stress produced in the context of digital tools use, while digital fatigue works as a psychological receptor of eye strain and general musculoskeletal fatigue produced by prolonged screen use. In contrast to the latter, which stems from an objective stimulus (the overexposure of the eyes to the wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the screen), technostress is rooted in the perception of stimuli. Subjective perception of stimuli produces a different reaction to objective ones: while two identical stimuli are perceived as equal by everyone, their consequences (including psychological ones) may vary depending on the individual’s perception of the stimulus.

Can children experience technostress?

Yes, children too, although to a lesser extent, can experience technostress. In some cases, online schooling, digital interactions and other sedentary technologies can affect your child’s mood, manifesting in irritability or a reduced level of engagement. If you notice these signs within your child, it’s best to tend to them quickly.

Are there specific apps that help manage technostress?

Apps monitoring digital well-being offer ways to limit screen time, practice mindfulness, and send reminder notifications to take offline breaks as part of a healthier relationship with technology.

Does technostress affect sleeping patterns?

The anxiety and agitation that arise with technostress can interfere with sleep, and habits that limit exposure in the evening can aid in getting a better quality of sleep.

Is there a connection between technostress and mental illnesses?

Technostress left untreated over time could develop into mental health concerns such as anxiety or depression. Good management of technostress will reduce the probability of such illness.