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Techno-stress: you may suffer it and have not realized it
Psychology
Difficulties with technologies or their excessive use can make us feel fatigue, anxiety or even addiction
Although we do not name it, the sensation is familiar to us: the we feel overwhelmed when we have several whatsapps accumulated and we must answer them; the feeling that the only thing we do with our day is lose it on social networks or the fatigue we experience when our email inbox, no matter how much we reply to emails, does not slow down.
We speak of techno-stress, a term that first appears in the book in 1984 and is defined as an “adjustment disease” caused by the lack of ability to deal with new technologies. in a healthy way. Bringing it closer to our day to day, the concept of techno-stress refers to the negative sensations that we can feel when there is a mismatch between what technology demands of us and our resources and capabilities.
Celestino González Fernández, general health psychologist, whose line of research is focused on this techno-stress, explains that there is no single topology of the phenomenon. “Some “Types” of techno-stress they can appear due to an excessive and negative use of technologies and others by default, that is, due to an addiction ”, explains the expert.
Fatigue and anxiety
Within these typologies we find the techno-anxiety, which occurs when a person experiences tension and discomfort from the use of a technological device or because of the idea of having to use it. “You can also experience negative thoughts about your own ability with technology; it focuses on the affective dimension of fear and anxiety ”, explains the psychologist.
On the other hand, we can experience technopathy, characterized “by feelings of tiredness and mental exhaustion and cognitive due to the use of technologies ”and of which, comments Celestino González Fernández,“ its consequences in physical and emotional exhaustion can be highlighted ”. He gives as an example a very common situation: at the beginning of our workday we must answer countless emails; Calls start and things pile up little by little, without the workload diminishing. “In the end we feel fatigued, overtaken by technology,” he says.
A specific type of techno-fatigue very common in our time stands out, the so-called “Information Fatigue Syndrome”: We become overloaded with information when using social networks and we end up overwhelmed by this “infoxication”.
The “addiction without substances”
Finally, the psychologist speaks of technoaddiction, a type of techno-stress derived from “the uncontrollable compulsion to use technologies at any time and place”, as well as “use them for long periods of time.” From this phenomenon the term of techno addicts, referring to people who want to be up to date with the latest technological advances and end up being “dependent”. “Technology ends up being the axis on which their lives are structured,” says the psychologist.
Then speak of the so-called “Addiction without substance”, and explains that the high use of social networks, mobile devices and computers produces an addiction, since it activates brain circuits similar to when a “substance” is consumed, as well as enhances the release of dopamine.
Tips to combat techno-stress
It is easy to recognize ourselves in some of the types of techno-stress. All of us, at some point or another, have experienced that fatigue, that anxiety or even that addiction. Therefore, it is important to implement a decalogue of good practices and habits in our day to day, in order to take control when it comes to our relationship with technology.
The psychologist Celestino González Fernández gives four basic tips. First of all, it recommends defining specific hours for the use of technology, so that it does not interfere with other areas or people. Also, he considers it important to leave the «gadgets» at home and go out into the street: «Move, go for a walk, meet friends; the Outdoor Activities they are essential, ”he says. He also recommends including “meditative and relaxing practices in the routine, and emphasizes mindfulness, which helps us focus our attention on the here and now. Finally, he advises «to look for periods of digital detox»: A few hours, a day, a weekend, a week, little by little we can realize that, for example, our mobile phone is not as important as it seems.
«You can take a test: every day, when you get home, leave your mobile phone at the entrance. In this way you take away the power of attraction. Every time you want to check if you have new notifications or take a look at social networks, you will be aware of this – by having to move – and you will be able to stop the impulse », he says.
Finally, the psychologist returns to the idea of becoming aware of the use we make of technologies. «If we start to look at it, we can determine if we feel techno-stress or not, and if so, if it is by default or by excess of that. In this way we can establish a healthier and more friendly relationship with technology “, he points out and concludes:” Technology should not direct your life, you must be the one who guides the relationship with it in a healthy way, so that it does not affect your physical well-being and mental”.