Con “tecnostress” refers to the stress syndrome which derives fromexcessive, immoderate and dysfunctional use of technology which has significant repercussions on both the social and working life of the individual who suffers from it.
With the ever-increasing presence of technology in our lives, it’s no surprise that many people experience technostress symptoms. Constant connectivity, information overload and rushing to manage these flows can contribute to feelings of overwhelm, exhaustion and anxiety and undermine digital well-being.
Let’s see better what it is, how to recognize the signs and how to combat technostress.
What is technostress: yesterday and today
Minted in 1984 by the American psychologist Craig Brodauthor of the book “Technostress: the human cost of computer revolution“, technostress is defined as an adaptation disease caused by the inability to manage information and communication technologies in a healthy way.
In the 1997 Larry Rosen and Michelle Weil they bring under the umbrella of the term any negative impact of technology, direct or indirect, on people’s attitudes, thoughts, behavior or psyche.
Nell’era of hyperconnectiontechnostress manifests itself as an overload of information, to be managed simultaneously on different devices, accompanied by rapid obsolescence of hardware and software.
From social media platforms to online news sources, the volume of information can be exhausting to process and digest. Difficulty filtering through the noise and determining what is accurate and relevant can lead to decision paralysis and a feeling of being overwhelmed.
What are the symptoms of technostress
Between physical symptoms Technostress includes insomnia, gastrointestinal disorders, migraines, breathing difficulties, dizziness, chronic fatigue, hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, tingling in the limbs, excessive sweating, and others. THE psychological symptoms include irritability, depression, behavioral changes, decreased sexual desire, crying spells and apathy.
However, the symptoms can vary from person to person. This syndrome is often not recognized promptly and can worsen to the point of becoming a serious obstacle to daily activities and personal relationships.
Acute technostress can cause amnesia and memory problems, also affecting motivation, productivity and absenteeism in the workplace
For this reason since 2007 was officially recognized asoccupational disease and analyzing the causes and effects on workers is part of the risk assessment obligation envisaged by the D.Lgs 81/08. In the 2014 me too’INAIL (National Institute for Insurance of Accidents at Work) has added it to the list of non-tabulated occupational diseases, which means that the burden of proof lies with the worker.
Because technologies create stress
The professor TS Ragu-Nathan of the University of Toledo in Ohio identified the main factors that cause technostress and those that moderate its effects.
Between “technostress creators” figure in the techno-invasion, i.e. the constant connectivity that pushes employees to work and remain available at any time. The techno-overload which refers to the inability to manage the high flow of incoming information caused by the use of mobile devices such as laptops and smartphones, as well as software applications for teamwork.
Then the techno-complexity for the time that technologies require to learn to master them. Rapid technological evolution generates a feeling of threat for the workplace and for the future and this is why the techno-insecurity.
Always in this sphere, the techno-uncertainty it is the fatigue resulting from the continuous implementation and modification of computer applications, often without adequate technical support. Finally, the multitasking and therefore, the search for greater performance in the shortest possible time, responding to different requests simultaneously with one or more technological tools.
In conclusion, according to Ragu-Nathan, technologies generate stress due to their complexity, frequent changes, high learning curves, additional work required, multitasking and associated technical problems and errors
The technostress inhibitors they are variables and organizational mechanisms that can reduce the negative effects of technostress. Train and involve users when planning and implementing new technologies are key to reducing anxiety.
Digital well-being between “distress” and “eustress”
In itself, stress is the body’s response to situations considered as threats or challenges. The Austrian naturalized Canadian doctor Hans Selye introduced the concept of stress with two categories. The distress it is stress that negatively affects our well-being, whileeustress it is the one that has a beneficial effect and can improve performance and motivation. Eustress is associated with difficult but manageable situations. It is the feeling we get when we are excited, motivated, and engaged in an activity that we find enjoyable or rewarding.
While eustress can be beneficial, too much stress of any kind can still have negative outcomes. It is essential to maintain a healthy balance and take care of yourself to prevent stress
This positive stress can help us to stay focused, energized and resilient when faced with obstacles or pressure. Examples of eustress may include preparing for a presentation, competing in a sporting event, or starting a new job. These experiences can arouse feelings of excitement, anticipation and determinationwhich can help us give the best of ourselves.
Apps to fight technostress
When it comes to cultivate digital well-beingthere are several mobile applications designed for this purpose.
Time is an Android app created to eradicate smartphone addiction. In practice, it replaces the launcher with a simplified version to a minimum to minimize distractions. Apps are organized into sub-menus and identified by individual letters. The icons change position each time you open them, making them harder to find and less tempting to open them. Notification control is also restrictive: you can choose to receive them at regular intervals and select which apps to limit.
Available for both iOS and Android, Forest is an app that helps users focus and stay productive by planting virtual trees. If the user picks up the phone and leaves the app, the tree dies. This gamified approach encourages you to give up distractions. You can invite friends and compete to make forests grow, but also earn virtual coins, which can be used to plant real trees in Cameroon, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda and Tanzania.
These apps encourage intentional disconnection and cultivating a healthy balance between technology use and the real world
OFFtime is an app designed to help people reduce screen time and create a healthier relationship with technology. It allows you to set specific periods of time to disconnect from your devices and focus on other tasks, effectively taking a break from the constant distractions of digital devices. The download is on both Android and iOS.
L’app GoodTimedownloadable only on Android, is a tool planning and time management which allows you to create and manage tasks, set reminders and track progress. The user-friendly interface and customizable features help you improve productivity and prioritize tasks effectively. The app also provides reports on how users spend their time, helping them identify areas for improvement.