Technostress: Physical & Mental Health Computing Disease

Ergonomic science adapts to technological demands. In the deskwork era, that meant ensuring good spinal support for seated computer operators. Circa 2022, fitting humans to better merge with machines is the emergent milestone. To reach there, technostress becomes the driving ergonomic priority of our time. Most have already felt its effects. Here are the most common technostress symptoms faced by modern computer operators.

The term ‘technostress’ was first conceptualized in the early 1980s as an “inability to cope with new technologies in a healthy manner”.⁽¹⁾. When the Internet emerged a decade later, the term acquired a new meaning.

People are now immersed in huge amounts of information. Daily work involves finding, absorbing, managing, and sharing data. Constant inputs across multiple devices keep the brain stressed. Over time, this can cause cardiovascular, mental, and even neurological disorders⁽²⁾.

The Technostress Problem In A Nutshell

The basic problem is like jamming a square peg in a round hole. The World Economic Forum describes it as the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It will see “billions of people connected by mobile devices, with unprecedented processing power, storage capacity, and access to knowledge…”

Add to this “breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, robotics, the Internet of Things, autonomous vehicles, 3-D printing, nanotechnology, biotechnology, materials science, energy storage, and quantum computing.”⁽³⁾

This shift is reflected in the latest Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics. It once listed good back support as the key to healthy office work.

Its 2021 update now lists technostress as the great ergonomic challenge of our time. That hurdle must be cleared to place humans in a perpetual state of near-virtual reality. There are three types of technostress to consider in these times:

1. Physical technostress: extended use of laptops, tablets, and smartphones increases the risks for musculoskeletal disorders.
2. Mental technostress: cognitive overload comes from using too many complicated gadgets at once.
3. Techno-addiction: inability to disconnect from work. Techno-addicts compulsively perform work-related tasks outside of business hours.

Technostress And The Great Resignation

During the lockdown era, technostress for remote staff skyrocketed. To bridge distances, staff had to juggle email, groupware, workflow, chat, and conferencing apps — often across multiple devices. This soured the benefits of working from home⁽⁴⁾. That might explain the Great Resignation that followed.

Post-lockdown, 3% of the U.S. workforce (47 million people) quit their jobs. Companies aren’t luring people back with higher salaries. Data shows that Gen Z and younger generations prioritize work-life balance and personal wellbeing⁽⁵⁾.

Common Technostress Symptoms

Technostress is a modern adaptation disease caused by an inability to cope with computer technologies in a healthy way.

Techo-Addiction Symptoms

One of the big drivers of techno-addiction is social media. A study of 444 Facebook users found that the platform causes stress, but users don’t log off when that happens. Instead, they switch between chatting, scanning feeds or posting updates.

As a result, the medium that causes stress is being used to relieve stress the stress it causes! This builds compulsive behavior for excessive tech use⁽⁶⁾.

The symptoms of techno-addictions should be obvious to everyone. They include:

• Constant smartphone use — even during social gatherings.
• Wake often through the night to check notifications.
• Consume most movies and TV on their phone (not a TV).
• Makes loud calls in shared quiet spaces (movie theaters, restaurants, etc).

Social media serves as a gateway for other tech obsessions. Workaholism can develop as the user becomes unable to disconnect from work-related ICTs (phone, computer, etc.).

Common work-related techno-addiction symptoms:

• Compulsively perform work-related functions outside of normal business hours.
• Feels anxiety when disconnected from a device and unlimited information.
• In constant anticipation of receiving notifications.
• Strong negative reactions to interrupted ICT use.

Physical Technostress Symptoms

Extended use of computers, laptops, and devices increases the risks of musculoskeletal disorders. The Handbook of Human Factors and Ergonomics calls this ‘text neck’. Mobile usage forces users to look down while holding their arms in front of them. This increases head and neck flexion⁽⁷⁾.

In fact, sitting without back support when texting showed the highest head and neck flexion⁽⁸⁾. This is where ergonomic gaming and office chairs enter the picture.

Both support healthy computing postures over long periods. Over time, sitting that way develops strong, lithe back muscles.

Stacked with a few other techniques, this provides an effective remedy to physical technostress symptoms:

• Chronic fatigue: a misaligned spine drains energy by forcing muscles to work harder.
• Migraines: forward head posture stresses neck muscles until pain explodes in the brain.
• Wrist disorders: 4 million Americans suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome.
• Neck pain: the fourth-leading cause of disability in America.
• Shoulder pain: causes around 4.5 million USA doctor visits per year and $3 billion in health costs.

Mental Technostress Symptoms

The mental effects of technostress include irritability, depression, apathy, and a diminished sex drive⁽¹⁾. This manifested as the Great Resignation. A recent Perceptyx study polled 15 million U.S. employees (1/3 from Fortune 500s).

It found that one-third of American workers who haven’t quit are now the ‘working dead’.⁽⁹⁾. They’re unhappy, unmotivated, but won’t quit because they need the cash. Some of the poll’s findings:

• Thirteen percent feel burned out, angry, and ready to quit.
• Only 18% feel personal accomplishment at work. However, 70% imagine being in the same job 12 months later.
• Only 25% are willing to put in more than the minimum effort.

Technostress Solutions

Technostress solutions are already getting worked out on two fronts. The first has a long history of failing to address human factors. The second looks like a blueprint that could solve technostress for many.

Institutional Solutions

The institutions and think tanks that shape our societies have historically done sloppy work catering to human factors. For instance, when schooling became mandatory for American kids in the 1800s, back problems skyrocketed.

Despite this, school seating hasn’t evolved. For over 150 years, institutional designers have ignored the physical and mental problems of this type of seating.

As another example, healthy sitting standards for office workers were discovered in the 1970s. Even so, millions of office workers worldwide still toil in back-breaking basic office chairs.

These days, the typical office worker sits all day long wearing formal clothes on a cheap chair. They must find, process, and share information across multiple devices under harsh fluorescent lights.

Corporate Technostress Tactics

Corporate responses to technostress issues have been predictably clumsy. Most major ‘studies’ had no theoretical framework or preventive aims. As a result, measuring effects has been purely anecdotal⁽¹⁾.

For example, Steelcase is the largest office furniture company in the world. One of the latest Steelcase technostress solutions is a tent. There’s no theoretical justification or means to measure effectiveness: “Tents inherently make you feel comfortable and safe when you’re inside of them.”

Esports Solutions

In response to the Great Resignation, corporations are brainstorming ways to make workers feel happier. Leading ideas thus far include work tents and pizza Fridays. Meanwhile, over in the esports world, pro gamers and streamers have technostress sorted.

This is despite gaming being infinitely more mentally taxing than office work. For instance, a typical first-person shooter can demand up to 400 actions (clicks or decisions) per minute.

While playing with such intensity, many stream their play and chat with fans across several devices. How do they do it?

Here’s the answer in one picture: this is Ninja, the world’s most-followed streamer. He streams 12+ hours on some days — without technostress. Instead, he’s happy, healthy, and rich.

When at the computer, we can see that he uses a high-end ergonomic setup. The chair supports good posture over long periods. Multiple screens serve up more information at a healthy eye level.

When away from the computer, he eats clean, works out 4 times per week, and sleeps well. That’s it.

Esports Formula To Beat Technostress

These days, most pro esports teams use gaming chairs. Most also follow the concept that healthy, rested players perform better. As a result, many work with nutritionists, mental coaches, and physical therapists.

ChairsFX spoke to a few esports doctors who all tout the same formula. Dr. Jordan Tsai works with Cloud9, TSM, Evil Geniuses, 100 Thieves, and other elite teams.

He’s also on Secretlab’s Ergonomics Advisory Board and a Titan chair user. However, he cites exercise as the most important factor for healthy deskwork. “A regular range of motion exercises, strengthening, and stretching are all critical.”

Dr. William Duncan works with both esports and traditional athletes. He explained where the chair fits in. “Postural issues typically arise from poor strength and endurance in the postural muscles — not the type of chair.” For best results, “work on strength and endurance — and use a good chair.”

All doctors we spoke to advised using common sense to ensure healthy computing. It’s the same formula that most elite streamers and players rely on:

1. Healthy lifestyle: ensure regular exercise, good nutrition, and sound sleep.
2. Healthy workstation: get a good ergonomic chair and use it correctly.
3. Frequent breaks: regular breaks away from the computer keep your mind and body fresh.

Esports Doctor Advice For Healthy Computing

Gaming Chair Solutions

From a desktop computing perspective, the gaming chair vs office chair debate is a dead heat. Both support good posture over long periods. However, from a multi-device computing perspective, the gaming chair industry has pulled ahead.

The multi-billion-dollar office chair industry primarily serves B2B clients. Companies like Steelcase and Herman Miller have contracts with governments, corporations, and schools. These leviathans are slow to adapt.

In contrast, the gaming chair industry is made up of private companies serving consumer markets. Over the past 12 months, the industry (as a collective) has gone into innovation overdrive. Seven groundbreaking concepts were unveiled — some specifically targeting multi-device technostress.

Using these innovations, we cobbled together a (theoretical) multi-device gaming chair workstation prototype. This shows that the gaming chair industry already has what it takes to serve a multi-device computing future.

The danger of such a setup is the sedentary habits it can create. Luckily, that’s already been addressed by the pro esports demand for regular exercise.

Fabric Gaming Chair Technostress Deterrent

The gaming chair of the future (like our prototype) should serve PC computing, console gaming, and mobile device usage. The best gaming chair of the present to address technostress is (in my opinion) a premium fabric gaming chair.

Here at ChairsFX, A Secretlab Titan Cookies and Cream fabric chair serves as my workstation centerpiece. The chair (instead of my muscles) supports my body into healthy, comfortable positions.

As a result, after long bouts of sitting, I’ve got tons of energy to burn. That goes directly into clean eating and a regular workout routine.

The soft, plush fabric upholstery also helps. It adds a casual feel, like wearing sweats instead of a suit. Every time I sit down puts me in a good mood. Over a long day of intense computing, this tactile edge makes a big difference!

These days, Secretlab makes the best fabric gaming chairs. Anda Seat, Noblechairs, Arozzi, and AKRacing also make intriguing fabric alternatives.

Best Fabric Gaming Chairs For Technostress Relief

Conclusion

Global architects at the World Economic Forum want to corral humans into a state of perpetual near-virtual reality. However, as tech creeps deeper into lives, it causes more technostress.

That’s why the Handbook of Human Factors now cites technostress as the biggest ergonomic challenge of our time. For a ubiquitous computing business world to emerge, this must be addressed.

Meanwhile, many streamers, esports stars, creatives, and the self-employed are managing technostress just fine — and thriving. Theirs is a simple formula that everyone can follow:

1. Healthy lifestyle: ensure regular exercise, good nutrition, and sound sleep.
2. Healthy workstation: get a good ergonomic chair and use it correctly.
3. Frequent breaks: regular breaks away from the computer keep your mind and body fresh.

In conclusion, the best physical technostress alleviant of this era is a good ergonomic chair. I recommend a fabric one.

The best mental technostress remedy has existed for 200,000+ years. Thanks to our streaming and esports friends, the dominant lifestyle in human history is back on the table.

If you’re suffering from technostress, work on getting good nutrition, exercise, and sleep. Then add an ergonomic chair and use it correctly.

2022 Deskwork Priorities: Fitness + Posture Beats Technostress

Footnotes

1. Eleonora Brivio, et al. ‘Preventing Technostress Through Positive Technology’, Front. Psychol., 17 December 2018. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02569, (accessed 4 April 2022).
2. Marta Chiappetta. ‘The Technostress: definition, symptoms and risk prevention’. Sapienza University of Rome, April 2017. DOI: 10.14616/sands-2017-1-358361, (accessed 28 March. 2022).
3. Klaus Schwab. ‘The Fourth Industrial Revolution: what it means, how to respond’. World Economic Forum, Jan. 14, 2016. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/01/the-fourth-industrial-revolution-what-it-means-and-how-to-respond/, (accessed 28 March. 2022).
4. Ludivine Martin, et al. ‘Digitally transformed home office impacts on job satisfaction’. Journal of International Affairs, 2019, https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0265131, (accessed 28 March. 2022).
5. Chris Parke. ‘Insert reason for leaving: Unpacking ‘The Great Resignation’’, https://www.thehrdirector.com/features/diversity-and-equality/insert-reason-for-leaving-unpacking-the-great-resignation/, (accessed 4 April 2022).
6. Reviewed by Kate Anderton. ‘Technostress linked to addiction for social media platforms’, August 27 2019. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20190827/Technostress-linked-to-addiction-for-social-media-platforms.aspx, (accessed 4 April 2022).
7. Schaufeli, W. B., Taris, T. W., and Bakker, A. B. (2008). “It Takes Two to Tango: Workaholism Is Working Excessively and Working Compulsively,” in The Long Work Hours Culture. Causes, Consequences and Choices, eds R. J. Burke and C. L. Cooper (Bingley: Emerald Group Publishing), 203–26. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/46703603_It_takes_two_to_tango_Workaholism_is_working_excessively_and_working_compulsively, (accessed 4 April 2022).
8. Kuo, Y.-R., et al. ‘Analysis of a customized cervical collar to improve neck posture during smartphone usage: A comparative study in healthy subjects’. European Spine Journal, 28(8), 1793–1803, 2019. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31168662/, (accessed 4 April 2022).
9. Perceptyx. “One Third of All Employees Are ‘Working Dead’ — Unhappy, Unmotivated, and Staying Put”. Oct. 28 2021. https://blog.perceptyx.com/news-research-one-third-of-employees-are-working-dead-report, (accessed 4 April 2022).