TECHNO STRESS – Fight or flight is in all of us and serves a very useful purpose when it kicks in at the right time. What happens when it kicks in and doesn’t stop?
Trickle Down Anxiety
Techno Stress is a term that best describes the way we seem to be living our lives today. Rather than being the masters of our machines and devices, too often we become their slaves. There are techniques to help manage this dilemma, like better time management. But what happens when you are not the one in control? With insatiable appetites for instant information and response, we often put undue pressure on ourselves and others to the point that it will and does affect our health. Is this trickle down anxiety akin to having PTSD?
Blessing and a Curse
Computers, they were going to save us time, and time is perhaps the only thing that is truly irreplaceable. Well, that didn’t work out the way we expected! It would have worked if what we were doing at the time never changed. But that didn’t work the way we thought either. Not for all, but for a lot of us, what was a 5-day, 8-hour routine came to be a 7-day workweek 24-hours a day. Responses are expected quickly, being available by phone at all hours and not much time to regroup.
When technology works it’s a blessing when it doesn’t it’s the a curse. We have come to accept much that it has done for us and to us. Although it’s very difficult to estimate some have tried to determine how fast knowledge doubles. In 1982, inventor and futurist Buckminster Fuller estimated that knowledge would double every 13 months. By 2006, an IBM study said it doubled every 12 hours. Trying to keep up is probably futile, yet we try. But in trying, what is it doing to us? It touches almost every part of our life. It’s no surprise that it gives so many stress, Techno Stress!
This Stress Effects All Ages
It starts with the very young, sometimes as a pacifier in the form of mommy’s cell phone, then grows to iPads and computers. Whether the stress is with the child, the parent or both, it has an effect that may be in the moment or longer lasting. For the child, growing older, it is a must have! Some of the effects apply at certain age points while others can be cumulative, staying on as people age.
The challenge is to understand what it does to us, beyond its function as a tool and how to keep from letting it consume or frighten us. Maud Purcell deals with these issues daily in her practice as a psychotherapist and Maud Purcell MSW, LCSW, CEAP is the Executive Director of The Life Solution Center of Darien, CT. Her approach is short-term and solution-focused. She recognizes that most dilemmas have straightforward, common-sense solutions. Maud weaves a unique blend of warmth and humor into her work. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Trinity College (Hartford, CT). She completed her graduate studies at the University of South Carolina (Summa cum Laude).
How to Build Resilience to Techno Stress
Technology has become an integral part of our lives, but it can also be a major source of stress [Techno Stress]. In this article, we will discuss how to build resilience to Techno Stress by following the tips of Dr. Stephen Sideroff and TP Sreenivasan.
Accept and Adapt to stress [Techno Stress]
Dr. Sideroff says that the key to building resilience to stress [Techno Stress] to accept and adapt to it. This means not trying to avoid or hide from stress [Techno Stress], but rather learning how to manage it in a healthy way.
One way to accept and adapt to Techno Stress is to understand where it comes from. TP Sreenivasan says that Techno Stress is often caused by the mismatch between our expectations of technology and its actual capabilities. We expect technology to make our lives easier, but it can also be a source of frustration and anxiety.
Another way to accept and adapt to Techno Stress is to learn how to self-regulate. This means finding healthy ways to manage our emotions and our bodies’ responses to Techno Stress. Some helpful self-regulation techniques include:
- Take breaks: When you are feeling stressed, it is important to take breaks from your devices. This could mean taking a few minutes to relax and breathe or taking a longer break to go for a walk or spend time with friends and family.
- Set boundaries: It is important to set boundaries around your use of technology. This means deciding how much time you want to spend on your devices and sticking to it.
- Delegate tasks: If you are feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to delegate tasks to others. This will free up your time so you can focus on the things that are most important to you.
Find Balance Between Work and Life
TP Sreenivasan also emphasizes the importance of finding balance between work and life. This means setting aside time for activities that you enjoy and that help you to relax and de-stress. Some helpful activities include:
- Exercise: Exercise is a great way to reduce stress and improve your overall health.
- Spend time with loved ones: Spending time with loved ones can help you to feel supported and connected.
- Do things that you enjoy: Doing things that you enjoy can help you to take your mind off of your worries and relax.
Use Technology Mindfully
TP Sreenivasan emphasizes the importance of using technology mindfully. This means being aware of how technology is affecting you and making conscious choices about how you use it. Some tips for using technology mindfully include:
- Be intentional about your use of technology: Decide what you want to use technology for and stick to it.
- Take breaks from technology: Don’t be afraid to take breaks from your devices, even if it’s just for a few minutes.
- Set limits on your screen time: Decide how much time you want to spend on your devices each day and stick to it.
- Be aware of your emotions: Pay attention to how technology is making you feel and take steps to manage your emotions.
Building resilience to stress [Techno Stress] takes time and effort, but it is an essential skill for living a healthy and happy life. By following the tips above, we can learn to manage Techno Stress in a healthy way and live a more balanced life.
Added Tips for Resilience
Here are some additional tips for building resilience to stress [Techno Stress]:
- Learn to say no: It is okay to say no to requests that would add to your stress levels.
- Practice gratitude: Taking time to appreciate the good things in your lives can help to boost your mood and reduce stress.
- Seek professional help: If you are struggling to cope with Techno Stress, don’t hesitate to seek professional help from a therapist or counselor.
Building resilience to stress [Techno Stress] is a lifelong journey, but it is one that is well worth taking. By following the tips above, we can learn to manage Techno Stress in a healthy way and live a happier and healthier life.
Links
Coping with Techno Stress | TP Sreenivasan | TEDxMACE
Mr. T P Sreenivasan, the former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency, exposes an eerie dimension of technological evolution. His talk explores how the vagaries, the expanse, and the reach of technology blend together to give an eclectic recipe for stress, say ‘Techno Stress’. With patches from his knowledge & personal experiences, he stiches together that grim by-product of innovation.
Dr Stephen Sideroff: Let go of anger and build resilience.
Dr. Stephen Sideroff is an internationally recognized expert in resilience, optimal performance, addiction, neurofeedback and alternative approaches to stress and mental health.
Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, with a joint appointment in the Department of Rheumatology at UCLA’s School of Medicine, as well as the Director of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Ethics.
[Techno Stress] According to a study by the American Psychological Association, When it comes to tech use, many of us are looking for a better balance. The Stress in America survey found 65% of Americans somewhat or strongly agree that periodically “unplugging” or taking a “digital detox” is important for mental health. Yet only 28% actually do so.
[Tchno stress]According to a study by the American Psychological Association. When it comes to tech use
