Blink, Breathe, Bend to De-stress

Techno-stress is identified as a modern-day ‘disease’ caused by the inability to cope with new computer technologies healthily. Computers and technology find their presence in every workplace; therefore techno-stress has probably come to be a serious occupational health concern to look out for. Psychosomatic in nature, newer medical conditions are being especially ‘nomenclatures like the Digital eye strain syndrome, Sweeping finger disorder, and more. Modern career aspirants must learn to deal with this and add to their preparedness required to the list of hyperstress that already includes long/irregular time schedules, erratic travel, and crisis management among others.

Needless to say, there is no simple formula to break the impasse. But as a keen observer if one looks at breaking down the stress management techniques into a simple approach; the important components will primarily be to Breathe, Blink and Bend well as a simple daily reminder-

Blink frequently

Healthy people blink 10 to 15 times per minute. While working on computers, the majority of us blink considerably less (sometimes up to 80% less). The reason for our low blink rate has to do with the brightness of the computer screen. With a low blink rate, the tear film is not renewed and our eyes get dry. Eye strain results and we all know how distressing this can be in the short and long term. Researchers indicate that we might subconsciously use blinks as a sort of mental resting point, so it might be a good idea to briefly shut off visual stimuli from time to time.

Breathe well

Apnea or apnoea is defined as the suspension of normal In ‘abnormal’ breathing as we would understand, there would be a lack of oxygen intake and as carbon dioxide is not removed through the lungs, it accumulates in the blood. Typically this happens when we are tense and voluntarily or involuntarily disturb the required rhythm of breathing. This could be over deadlines, presentations or late hours. The goal of tension relief, therefore, is to restore good deep breathing, which brings back the required equilibrium between CO2 and O2 in our body. No wonder then, just the act of breathing well helps alleviate stress.

Bend at regular intervals

Bending and stretching are common physiological exercises known to relieve stress. As such, exercising is an extremely important stress buster. Unbending some common postural defects can be very critical for stress management. Experts strongly recommend regular stretches to relieve the tension which manifests especially in the neck-shoulder-arm-hand-back region with the use of a keyboard and the mouse. It also helps reverse the ill effects of the sedentary and compromised routine.

In the final analysis, frequent changes in career paths, leading to greater presence and levels of stress, are here to stay. Soft skills will demand greater proficiency along with technical expertise. So, Blink frequently, Breathe well, and Bend at regular intervals for a simple, easy-to-remember toolkit to ease stress. Be prepared to bend psychologically too in addition to physiologically, ensuring a good measure of humility and grounding. Bend with the wind as they say and listen to your body, for if you don’t, you run the risk of... Break!

In today's digital workplace, managing techno-stress becomes even more critical. As remote work and virtual collaborations become commonplace, the boundaries between work and personal life often blur, leading to increased stress levels. Understanding and implementing effective stress management techniques can significantly improve one's well-being and productivity in such a dynamic environment.

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