How to Use Technology to Prevent Workplace Stress from Killing You

The best way to describe stress is by comparing it to oxygen. We need a little bit to keep us alive, but too much will kill us. That little bit of stress is better known as pressure. It’s the last hour before a deadline and your need to put the finishing touches on your project, or the last half an hour before your dinner guests arrive. The extreme is too much stress, and this has a significant negative impact on our health.

What Is Stress?

Stress is how our body reacts to a challenge and is closely associated with our fight or flight instincts. An event or situation brings about frustration, fear, anxiety, or anger. These emotions lead to a physical or emotional tension known as stress.

What Is Workplace Stress?

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines workplace stress as a response when the work demand is beyond a person’s knowledge or ability to handle the challenge. Usually, poor work organization or inadequate work design causes workplace stress.

Why Is Workplace Stress a Killer?

Many scientific studies prove that workplace stress increases the likelihood of cardiovascular disease and reduces lifespans. Long hours, noise, and workload all play a part in workplace stress. Chronic stress, which continues for more than three months, can lead to negative behaviours such as substance abuse and poor self-care. Mentally, workplace stress can cause anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

8 Ways Technology Can Save You from Stress

There are two sides to this coin. First, the IT infrastructure in the workplace must be running at an optimal level to allow people to carry out their responsibilities. Not being able to complete tasks because the Internet is down can mean missed deadlines and increased stress.

On the other hand, there are ways you can use technology to your advantage. Let’s look at the top eight ways how technology can save you from too much stress.

1. Use wearable technology

Fitbit and Apple Watch are just two examples of technology that can monitor your breathing and heart rate. Devices that measure your heart rate variability allow you to identify what causes your stress triggers. By focusing on your breathing, you can lower your heart rate and stress levels.

2. Make time for meditation

Meditation is a complex task that involves calming the brain. It is not so easy to achieve in a busy working environment. Muse and Headspace (founded by a Buddhist monk) have apps that guide you through meditation and can easily be included in your chaotic daily schedule.

3. Open YouTube

Whether it’s your favourite song or a comedy sketch that makes you laugh, YouTube has it all. Look for positive videos that show the good in the world. It only takes a few minutes of videos that make you smile to give you a break from the stress of the day. However, don’t spend too much time watching cat videos that you start missing deadlines.

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4. Apps that provide support

Sometimes, sharing our emotions can take some of the weight off of your shoulders and remind you that you aren’t alone in your suffering. The SAM app is completely anonymous and can put you in touch with a community of people who are experiencing the same difficulties as you.

5. Social Media platforms

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter cut both ways. They can take up too much of your time, and half an hour has passed before you know it. On the other hand, social media is useful for a five-minute break to see what your loved ones are up to, boosting your emotional health. There are also local community pages that you can get involved with and even spark a new interest outside of work.

6. Fitness apps

Sometimes we can't get the exercise we want or need. There are hundreds of fitness apps, free and paid for, that provide short exercise routines. You can find anything from 10-minute yoga sessions to 30-minute cardio workouts. This is a great way to start your day with more energy and feeling better about yourself.

7. Online games

If you are going to use online games, make sure they are relaxing, like Little Wheel—full of calming images in a digital world you have created. Another great option to calm your mind and relax is Pigment, an online colouring app.

8. Upgrade to smart technology

Smart technology in your home reduces your stress, and more than that, they are fun to use. For example, while working at home, all you need to do is say “Robot, start hoovering", and off it goes cleaning while you can get on with more important tasks. Smart technology can save you time so that you can enjoy life more