Is your gadget stressing you out?

It’s time to address tech stress before it gets more complicated.

How often do you want to avoid phone calls and incessant messages? In those moments, you feel like escaping from all the technological clutter in your life. Believe it or not, your gadget is capable of giving you grief and can make your brain go haywire.

If you are obsessed with your phone and laptop, here’s what can happen to you.(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Using computer or mobile phones excessively, makes you pick up microwaves emitted by these gadgets, which alter the functions of the cortical brain. Your logic, voluntary activities, pleasure of life and desire to be social, deteriorates. When you use computers for long hours, the neck gets stiff. This applies pressure on the arteries inside the neck which in turn reduces the blood flow to the brain. There are other effects as well. When we are suddenly denied access to digital technology, we get anxious. That’s the first sign of tech stress. So if your gadgets are stressing you out, then it is time for you to address it before it gets more complicated. So here are some solutions to help you out.

Symptoms of tech stress

Sleep deprivation

Chronic fatigue

Frequent headaches

Palpitation

Lack of comprehension

Low blood pressure

Low libido

Tips to reduce tech stress

Get sound sleep: The light from gadgets can interfere with your ability to stay asleep. Switch off your mobile phone and other gadgets 30 minutes before you sleep so that you don’t get distracted.

Stay offline for an hour every day: Try keeping yourself away from all the gadgets for an hour everyday and see what happens to your mood. If you realise that you didn’t miss much by remaining offline, you won’t face tech stress again.

Stick to a schedule: Handle recreational web surfing and email at set times. Dipping in and out is classic self-interruption.

Pay more attention to people’s conversation: While striking a conversation with anyone, make sure you listen to them carefully and not end up fiddling with your phone while talking.

Try sightseeing:

Reasearch suggests that gazing at scenery can make you relaxed and is more impactful than something beautiful that you see on screen. Take out sometime from your work and go for a stroll in a park or garden.

With Inputs from Dr Mosaraf Ali -The LaLit Mangar, Mohsin Wali- physician to the President of India and Jinnie Gogia Chugh- fitness expert.