Overcoming Digital Fatigue. Today, our lives are inseparable from technology. In the workplace, this phenomenon is even more evident. On the one hand, digital technologies such as instant messaging (such as WhatsApp and Telegram), electronic mail, and remote collaboration applications (such as Zoom and Microsoft Team) make communication and work easier. But on the other hand, many people experience digital fatigue.
Overcoming Digital Fatigue
What is digital fatigue? Digital fatigue is the mental and physical exhaustion that people experience due to prolonged use of digital devices and constant engagement with digital content. This condition is becoming more common as remote work, virtual communication and screen time increase. Digital fatigue is caused by several factors. These factors are firstly, the near constant exposure to screens, whether from laptops, PCs, tablets and smartphones. This can lead to eye strain, headaches and sleep disturbances.
Second, frequent notifications from apps, emails and social media create a fragmented work environment. This can lead to mental fatigue. Cognitive resources become strained. People have to be on constant alert, never letting their guard down.
Third, fatigue due to virtual meetings. During virtual meetings, people are required to fully concentrate on the screen. Coupled with limited nonverbal cues. Mental energy is drained faster than in face-to-face meetings.
Fourth, information flows like a tsunami. In other words, we are currently treated to endless amounts of online information. As a result, people are overwhelmed, making it difficult to focus and process information effectively.
Fifth, the boundaries between work life and personal life are increasingly blurred. As a result, people find it difficult to detach themselves from digital devices, even outside of working hours. The time to rest and recuperate is getting smaller.
Don’t take it lightly
Don’t take digital fatigue lightly. The impact can be fatal. It becomes difficult for people to concentrate, their minds become blurred, and their motivation decreases. As a result, employee productivity plummets. Complex problems become more difficult to solve.
As a result of always being digitally connected, employees feel disconnected from their role and the team they belong to. This also makes employees stressed, even demotivated. Without adequate rest, the risk of burnout increases. Especially if employees have no control over their schedules and workload.
Digital technology is the result of innovation. But if people are tired of it, creativity and innovation are in danger of stagnating. Due to digital fatigue, people cannot think creatively and find it difficult to solve problems. In fact, creativity is the source of innovation.
Due to the loss of boundaries between professional life and personal life, people must always be digitally alert, including at unusual times such as at midnight, weekends, and even on vacation. As a result, personal life suffers.
Not just physical health, mental health also suffers from digital fatigue. People feel unsettled, worried, and uneasy. Some even go as far as depression. In addition, the lack of face-to-face interaction can create a feeling of isolation.
Firm Boundaries
So how can people avoid digital fatigue? There should be a firm boundary between time for work and time for life outside of work. For example, not checking work-related emails or messages (if possible) unless it is urgent. With this boundary in place, employees have the opportunity to rest and recuperate.
Companies can provide training on the wise and healthy use of digital technology. This includes how to manage screen time, maintain posture when using devices, and recognize the early signs of digital fatigue so that it can be quickly overcome. Regarding this training, SAP, a multinational software company from Germany, provides training on managing time using digital devices and reducing digital distractions. SAP’s approach emphasizes educating employees about digital health and advocating offline time, creating a culture that supports mental health and overcoming digital fatigue.
Digital fatigue can be avoided by encouraging employees to take short breaks from their screens. Using techniques such as the “20-20-20” method (every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds) can reduce eye strain.
Despite the advancement, companies should not always rely on digital technology to communicate and meet with employees or other stakeholders. Increase face-to-face meetings like before the Covid-19 pandemic. This method can reduce boredom and digital fatigue. Citigroup, one of the giant investment banks and financial service providers, implemented “Zoom-Free Friday” after seeing an increase in digital fatigue among employees. CEO Jane Fraser introduced the initiative to reduce video conferencing, giving workers one day a week without video calls. The policy is part of a broader effort to set clearer boundaries around digital work, so employees can focus on tasks without the constant pressure of screen time.
Companies need to be smart about choosing the right technology to support their operations. Right means appropriate to the need, not merely the latest. Using too many apps is inefficient. Use only a few platforms so as not to overburden employees.
While technology will continue to evolve, it is important for companies and individuals to find a balance in its use. Digital fatigue is a reminder that sometimes, “disconnecting” is the best way to stay connected to yourself, your work, and a better life.
Overcoming Digital Fatigue
Category: Human Capital & Talent Management
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