Today, we’re taking a look at technology and how it affects our stress levels.
It’s incredible to look back and see how technology has changed our lives - and our mental health.
These days, it’s hard to go a day without using some form of technology. In fact, for entrepreneurs and freelancers, it can be hard to go even an hour without technology. Waking up to text messages, checking emails on the commute, and spending all day in front of a computer is the norm. In our waking hours, we rarely have a moment of down-time.
Does technology cause stress?
We’re writing our thoughts on tech and stress in response to ISMA’s question “does hi-tech cause hi-stress?”
Technology has completely revolutionised the way we live, work, and socialise. For entrepreneurs, the internet has become the perfect platform to launch a business, reaching thousands of potential customers without the need to invest in traditional bricks-and-mortar stores.
However, the personal relationship a business owner has with technology may not be quite so rosy. Here are three of the most common concerns entrepreneurs have that are rooted in technology:
1. The fear of missing out
As much as technology is a tool for sourcing information, launching a business, and managing your processes, it can also become a vice to any good business-owner.
With so much information constantly being uploaded, it can feel hard to keep up, compete with similar businesses, and keep your customer base - or followers - happy.
The fear of missing out (or FOMO) is especially apparent in entrepreneurs who diversify too quickly. Companies that pursue too many things often fail to achieve anything.
2. The UNHELPFUL tech habits
Many entrepreneurs use multiple devices to manage their business, and this includes smartphones. Smartphones can distract us from dinner and worse still, reduce our efficiency in performing even simple tasks.
The potential for distractions due to smartphones can be displayed in two ways - reducing business performance, and as a distractor in meetings, at our desks, and even in managing social media.
On the other hand, they enable us to “work” at any time - it takes just a tap of a finger to switch from leisure to business. The flip side of this is it can cause unwarranted stress during allotted down-time.
3. The need to be always-on
For many entrepreneurs, there’s always a temptation to do more work. On any good business news site, you’ll find countless examples of successful entrepreneurs who worked 60 hour work weeks, made their weekends into work days, and took their work home from the office most nights. Some may say that this dedication is needed to get a business off-the-ground, but there’s also a very real risk in spending all your waking hours at work: burnout.
Over 3.4 million entrepreneurs experiencing burnout in the UK alone, and it’s time something was done to prevent it.
The technology you need to alleviate stress
Do you identify with any of the above? In an effort to reduce stress in entrepreneurs, freelancers, and business owners, we’re actively working to provide options that will help you to tackle stress and improve your mental health.
For those who love technology, but need to find balance, our Digital Wellbeing Training is for you. This course is made up of a series of videos that you can work through at your own pace, and return to whenever you need.
If you’re finding technology is causing you to burnout, our Reignite Programme is a free 10-week course that will enable you to detect and manage times of high-stress.
And if you feel your stress is rooted in your habits around technology, join us for our virtual Good Mental Health festival every October to learn how to nurture your mental health, so you can thrive in your work and all aspects of your life.
While technology may be the catalyst to your business’ success, it’s also worth managing your own relationship with it in order to achieve a healthy balance.
Here’s to your inner and outer success, now and always.