Have you ever felt like your days are endless and repetitive? You can hardly concentrate and the thought of doing it over again the next day makes you feel overwhelmed. Do you have physical signs such as headaches, tired or sore eyes or neck, back pain, and so on? Do you feel reactive, as in more irritated? If you tend to spend most of your day in front of a screen, and you said yes to most of those, then you might be showing signs of tech or digital fatigue.
And you may be asking… What is Tech Fatigue? well, even though it is not a clinical diagnosis, there are common symptoms that people exposed to this phenomenon of constant digital overstimulation present more than what’s expected from it. But to be precise, it can be defined as a state of mental exhaustion and disengagement that occurs when people are required to use numerous digital tools and apps concurrently and in an ongoing way.
So, let’s dive a little more into it…
As technology develops, we have dived deeper and deeper into the digital era and a very plugged way of living. Generations like Millenials and GenZs grew up with this, we learned by googling things rather than going to a library. We were able to chat with our friends 24/7 without going to see them. Technology and screens have always been a part of our lives. But it was always just one of many options.
Now, when the pandemic started and the world was forced to digitize every form of interaction, burn-out levels went to the ceiling and more and more people started experiencing this digital exhaustion. We lacked face-to-face contact.
Digital ways of communication require more of our attention to process cues like body language over the screen, and we started to worry about other things that come with having to perform in front of a camera most of the day or having our phones buzzing night and day and the feeling that since they are the only nexus with the outside world, we have to attend them.
And since we have a new normal that is and will keep being full of technology even after the health crisis is under control and Covid is no longer a big threat, what can we do to deal with this modern world malaise?
Keep it simple
We know the problem, so much screen time and technology is making you tired. But what are your specific stressors? Is it the constant video calls? Then try to switch as many as you can to phone calls or emails. These communication paths required another kind of attention and varying them could help not to get overwhelmed. Is it the continuous stimulation of endless notifications that you feel like you have to check every minute? Then turn them off and design a strategy that works for you.
Whether that is checking your phone every 30 minutes, you will group all the things you need to check, like email, news, work chats, and so on, in one moment. This might mean not giving your immediate attention to things that come up, but hey, if it can wait half an hour then it is still a great choice. Not having that buzzing distraction will help you focus.
You won’t be constantly shifting from app to app every two seconds while you are doing something else on the laptop. It gives you space and time to attend to the outside digital world that won’t take all of your waking time and attention.
Find balance
Yes, most of our lives have some relation with a screen, but that can’t be all. If so, there’s going to be an endless loop of exhaustion, burn-out, and tiredness that we do not need to add to our days. To find your balance you need to know and explore your limits, and most importantly, respect them.
And we know that you might have a morning packed with online business meetings, but plan them in a way you can take a break in between meetings. Go outside, take a walk, be around nature, and do what may work for you, but disengage from the digital world from time to time. Healthy boundaries are the key when it comes to balancing work, life, health, and more.
Having tech-free zones at the office can be a great way to encourage team members to disengage in a healthy way, since being surrounded by screens all the time can impact memory and concentration, therefore productivity and other aspects. Sometimes a good detox is all we need.
Take care of yourself
May sound a little obvious, but sleep deprivation, poor eating habits, and dehydration won’t help the cause. And let’s be honest, sometimes we can take for granted our health and forget the simple care of our basic needs. It is not easy all the time, but it is an effort that is worth making.
Exercising regularly, and practicing yoga or meditation can be very helpful with the stress and anxiousness that might come along with digital fatigue. Small things like being aware of your posture while working, and making sure you are comfortably seated can make a huge impact on the physical aches.
And most importantly, look for professional help if you feel like you need it. Whether it is an optical checkup for your burning eyes or going to a psychologist for some anxiety, it is always a good choice to ask for help if you feel like it.
Technology has its great benefits, but it is not all sunshine and rainbows. Everyone needs to prioritize well-being since it most of the time equals success. Do you know someone who might be fatigued by technology? Are you that person? If so, then try some of our tips and why not share them with a friend that might need them too?
