5 Tips to Avoid Technostress

The excessive use of new technologies can induce technostress

It seems that the term technostress has for the  first time been coined in the eponymous book by Larry Rosen and Michelle Weil in 1997. The term describes the psychological dependence potentially induced by the ongoing use of new technologies; it is estimated that a great part of the population is concerned. 

Read A Conversation with the Authors of 'TechnoStress' 

Symptoms of Technostress :

  •   Urge to acquire the latest technoloy available,
  •   An ability to do many things simultaneously with multiple devices, producing a scattering of attention likely to impair concentration and memory,
  •   The use of codes, syncopated language and jargon at the expense of the written and spoken language, therefore impoverished
  •    The use of new technologies for much of the day, to the detriment of personal relationships

Young people are those most affected by this addiction reflected in their overusing mobile phones ant the Internet to keep contact with their friends, or by an unquenchable passion for video games. According to experts, the urge to acquire or try out the latest technology available may result, if it is not satisfied, to frustration, sadness and anxiety feelings.

What solutions ?

  1. Determine at least one day a week without ICTs to improve oral communication and personal relations,
  2. Think about the purpose of ICT  and use them only when necessary
  3. Limit the hours of gaming or Internet connection, try setting up a schedule in advance
  4. For each hour of work in front of a computer screen or other device, it is recommended to take a 10-minute rest to relax your mind and eyes
  5. We need not to reject new technologies but to make good use of them.

Everyone has been excited by the advent of new technologies which have made our lives easier and more thrilling. However, the most vulnerable among us have been overwhelmed by the universe of almost infinite possibilities they convey. 

People may also experience technostress when they feel unable to cope with information technologies in a healthy manner. In work environments for example, they feel compulsive about being connected and forced to respond in real-time to the constant flow of information, to the detriment of sustained thinking and creative analysis.