- Ivan Fernandez Suarez
- The conversation*
image sources, Getty Images
The emergence of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) has changed our lives.
On a social, professional and personal level, we act, work or communicate differently. This situation, amplified by the pandemic, has brought new risks to our daily lives. These are the so-called emerging risks.
The main problem is that the high exposure to computers, tablets, smartphones and other technologies has increased our levels of negative stress (distress). Concretely, when the origin is in the difficulty of adapting to technologies, we speak of techno-stress.
The new risks and their names
Faced with this situation, new risks appear that affect our health, in particular:
- Vamping: digital hyperconnection subtracts hours of sleep and causes insomnia.
- Phubbing or ningufoneo: disregard for the people around us for prioritizing our phones.
image sources, Getty Images
Ignoring those around us by hanging up on the phone is one of the most common conditions and it can significantly affect our interpersonal relationships.
- Smombies: the attitude of moving or carrying out other activities pay no attention to be aware of the smartphone.
- Nomophobia: the need to always stay connected. We can’t spend 24 hours offline.
- Text-neck: together pain in the cervical region derived from constant phone calls and adopting incorrect postures.
All of these risks are associated with an increase in the number of hours spent in front of a screen and a decrease in physical activity.
The combination of digital hyperconnection, sedentary lifestyle and/or overeating is deadlyand ends up generating circulatory, respiratory, musculoskeletal or even mental problems.
This has contributed to our shifting from fear of infectious and sexually transmitted diseases to easy prey for them. chronic non-communicable diseases. These diseases are not contagious, but it is our way of life (cultural aspect) that promotes their spread.
A few attitude changes
We cannot erase social and union demands with the stroke of a pen. But we can change our attitude to these demands. Here are some suggestions for dealing with techno-stress:
image sources, Getty Images
The long periods we spend in front of computers or our mobile phones can cause us physical problems, such as neck and cervical aches.
- Identify the sources that generate stress, that is, the stress factors that cause an alteration in our state of well-being. Know what stresses us out This is the first step in being able to deal with it.
- Be aware of the activities that release us from stress. Each of us must know which activities allow us to completely forget the rest of the situations that stress us: sport, culture, family, friends, etc.
- Look for physical activation. The daily demands lean towards the mental part, which is why it is important to seek to compensate for this mental effort with physical activity. This same effort will help us cope with a sedentary lifestyle and the musculoskeletal problems associated with it. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly. This activity is understood as at least a brisk walk or a light run.
- Practice digital disconnection. The hyperconnection in which we live generates dependency. We need to be able to search for oases that will free us from information overload, leave space for our mind to recharge.
image sources, Getty Images
Exercising regularly or asking family and friends for help to reduce exposure time to technology are ways to ensure our health, says the author.
- Find help. Family, friends or colleagues, communication and social interaction are good tools for managing techno-stress.
- Planning, organization, self-knowledge. Being ready to face stressful situations, organize your life and know your strengths and weaknesses makes us more resilient.
Stress is defined as a mismatch between demands and abilities. Thus, if we are able to know and improve our abilities, we will be able to better tolerate the stressful situations that we face on a daily basis.
Adapting to change allowed us to evolve and survive as a species. In a time of constant change, we need this adaptation more than ever.
*Iván Fernández Suárez is professor of the Master in Occupational Risk Prevention at the International University of La Rioja (Spain).
Remember What you can receive notifications from BBC News World. Download the new version of our application and activate them to not miss our best content.
“Incurable alcohol evangelist. Unapologetic pop culture scholar. Subtly charming webaholic.”
