Do you find your relationship to technology often resembles one of an on-again off again, partially-unhealthy relationship? If so, know that you’re not alone and that you may actually be experiencing a very real and common phenomenon: Screen Fatigue.
Screen fatigue is something people are experiencing more and more frequently, especially since the most recent shift in our work habits since COVID-19 hit in early 2020. Many employees made the switch to working from home and there was a surge of excitement and hope centred around this new way of doing business.
This brings us to now – Some of us may have merged back into an office setting while a large portion of employees may still be working from their “work from home” office set up. Though we are so fortunate through the use of technology to be able to work digitally, the initial excitement has potentially turned into complete and utter exhaustion at the thought of yet another Zoom meeting.
It’s no question, too much screen time can certainly lead to a number of issues, including hormonal problems, trouble sleeping and chronic headaches. Your physical and mental health should always be #1, and in this article, we’ll explore ways you can combat screen fatigue while working so you can continue to thrive in the workplace and maintain a sense of well-being.
Here are 3 habits that you can easily implement to your day to help combat screen fatigue.
Take screen breaks.
Knowing that your time is going to be tied up in technology that much more, it’s important that you know when it’s time to step back and take a much-needed break! This can mean something as easy as giving your eyes a break from the screen to look out a window, taking a short walk outside around the office, or enjoying a picnic lunch outside with a colleague! Something as simple as 5 minutes away from the screen has the capacity to completely reset and recalibrate your mind, leaving you to feel more energized and a lot less zoned out. And remember that a break from computer screen time doesn’t mean check your phone. Give yourself a real break.
Be intentional with your time.
Time could arguably be considered as the highest currency, so it’s worth valuing yours as though it’s worth $100/hour or more! If you find Zoom calls to be something that’s particularly draining to you, you might want to consider blocking off specific times in your calendar for meetings. Not only will this help you to monitor how much time you’re spending plugged into technology, but you’ll also be setting important boundaries and will become more intentional with what you fill your time and your meetings with.
You may find that a good system to get you started with this is filling your first 3 hours of the day with meetings (while your mental acuity is at its’ highest) and reserving your afternoon hours for other work tasks. If you’re an employee, suggest this to your boss. A good boss will be open to trying new things to ensure that their employees are happy, healthy and thriving in a work setting. They could probably benefit from specific meeting times too!
Make space for movement – as much as possible!
Not only does spending hours in front of a screen have the potential to cause major brain fatigue, it’s also very sedentary. Sitting at a desk for hours on end can account for a whole other level of physical issues that can add to a feeling of fatigue. Instead of sitting rigidly in front of your computer, consider adding some bouts of movement in between meetings and assignments!
This can look like taking a short jog or doing a quick workout near your desk during your lunch break. Or maybe you take a short pause in between meetings so you can do some stretches or walk to the water cooler for a refill. Whatever the movement may be, it will give you a break from the technology while adding some blood flow back into your body, which will naturally increase your energy levels as a whole.
Technology does not have the power to rule your life.
You are fully in the driver’s seat when it comes to taking agency over your health and well-being. What that means is that technology does not have to be on 24/7, nor should it be! When it feels overwhelming and like you’re connected to a screen non-stop, consider taking a step back and implementing some healthy boundaries so you don’t feel disempowered by technology.
Take a digital detox, have a conversation on the phone or simply put the devices away for certain periods of time so they are completely out of reach. At the end of the day, we want technology to be our friend and support our lives for the better, not run them.
If you’re curious about more ways you can combat screen fatigue and create a healthier relationship to tech, Navy and Sage Benefits is here to help. Reach out to us today!
