Computers, smartphones, and other technology gadgets consume our time. Office works nowadays cannot be done without involving computers. Logging in to our social network using smartphones during the supposed time to rest or recess adds up our time of being exposed to radiation. Smartphones produce more radiation, thus contribute a lot of technostress in us. Using personal computers of course, also contribute technostress.
John Kupersmith (1992) stated that "Technostress" (computer-related stress) is a combination of performance anxiety, information overload, role conflicts, and organizational factors. It is a stress or psychosomatic illness caused by working with computer technology on a daily basis (Oxford University Press, 2015). Too much exposure to computer radiation makes our body becomes weak. Computer programmers, graphic designers, multimedia professionals, and other IT professionals usually encounter technostress. For me, it is a combination of body and brain stress. But how we could handle it? Below are the suggested do's and don'ts in handling technostress:
- Avoid too much exposure to the unfiltered computer monitors.
- For computer users, if possible to take a break every fifteen minutes and try to look at the nature with plants or tress (or any green colored objects) to rest our eyes.
- During breaktime, take a rest (no social network if possible, just allocate small time for it).
- If gaming cannot be avoided, at least you spare time to rest. I don't believe that playing computer games does not cause body stress even technostress.
- Playing games on your smartphones and other radiation-exposed gadgets may contribute more body stress, thus, must be avoided or minimized (or set it to flight mode if you are addicted to it).
- For programmers and other IT professionals who are very exposed to computers, do the brainstorming technique during idle times. Do not put more stress on your mind in front of your computer.
- For social media addicts (sorry for the term), limit your time in logging in to your social network.
- Eating more fruits and veggies help us rejuvenate. Avoid more meats (see my previous blog about it).
- Do a lot of exercise to eliminate body stress (i'm guilty of it. lol!).
- Socialize a lot in person than just meeting friends online (you know what I mean).
