Using Technology to deal with Technostress

As the use of technology in education grows, it is critical to consider its impact on student well-being. Mental health issues among high school and college students are becoming more common, and educational institutions and educators must find ways to alleviate this burden. Fortunately, EdTech is developing new solutions to assist students in dealing with such issues and developing better mental health. There are now a variety of tools available that can have a significant impact on student well-being, ranging from meditation apps to online therapy programs. While technological accessibility has its own benefits, on the flip side though, it can also create an unavoidable temptation for some to be logged on to excess. Recent data indicates that students’ frustration and stress levels have increased as a result of their use of technology.

“From being our guide on roads to writing our assignments and papers, technology is both a friend and an enemy to our brains. Because technology has reduced our exposure to uncertainty and killed our curiosity to some extent, we are less prepared to deal with adverse situations when they arise. The thing is, technology answers questions about what to do, not about life as it happens, which is why we become anxious when we have to face real life situations,” Says Anoop Singh Bishnoi, Chairman of The Doon School, Dehradun.

As we all try to adapt to the introduction of new technologies, technology-related stress, or “technostress,” is a common experience. Change, for better or worse, is stressful, and technology is changing the way we live every day. Whether we are adults, children, or adolescents, technology can keep us on high alert, feeling compelled to connect, share, and multitask. Remember that technology is only a tool. Although some technologies, such as the internet, electronic communication, and productivity tools, are nearly impossible to avoid, we still have some control over how much technology affects our lives. Furthermore, some technologies can help us live better lives, become stronger, and be more productive.

Aside from snazzy stress-reduction devices, there are a number of applications that can also serve as a help, bringing the right kind of aid, right to one’s phone or other devices, immediately as one needs. Many apps offer unique ways to journal for tackling stressful thoughts and track moods. One can play stress-relieving games, maintain balance, and stay positive throughout the day by using affirmations and reminders-based apps. There are other options too, like wearable technology, which can even track when one’s stressed, allowing one to learn to anticipate negative emotions and use features like breathing exercises to calm down. “It’s always important to collect one’s thoughts before doing something that requires concentration, especially studying. One can also listen to soothing music or narrations when the ideas seem scattered, it’s okay to take time to learn how to deal with feelings of nervousness around one's studies and eventually one will find a way to react to their emotions with more positivity. It’s a great way to unwind and put everything in perspective before diving into your studies. Another source of stress is a lack of time. Investing in a study planning app is one way to effectively manage your time and meet all of your deadlines. Sometimes just organizing everything you need to do is enough to alleviate feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.” Adds Anoop.

All of these are excellent ways to relax and calm down during a storm of emotions, but as the saying goes, excess of anything is dangerous. Be aware of the potential negative effects of spending too much time with technology and take steps to control it in order to promote well-being and reduce overall stress. It’s necessary to set boundaries for oneself, we all need to take regular breaks from using social media or just scrolling through our phones while switching between multiple apps. Instead, we should prioritize face-to-face communication or get engaged in other activities. All of these work excellently to manage technology use and reduce stress.