Read this if you are looking to find balance with digital usage at your organization.
The current digital well-being environment
Over the last few decades, there has been a major shift in the use of smartphones, laptops, tablets, and other devices. Technology has become an integral part of people’s private and professional lives and the constant innovations and improvements in technology have made information much more accessible than ever before. Some people are finding themselves to be too reliant on technology, however, and the transition to a technology-driven environment and constant exposure to screens have led to a serious dilemma for employees and employers: finding a healthy work-life balance.
Studies have consistently shown the detrimental effects of excessive technology use, which include:
- Physical health concerns, such as vision problems, neck strain, and even heart complications due to extended periods of sedentary behavior.
- Mental health concerns, such as increased stress, anxiety, depression, and a general sense of dissatisfaction with life.
- Social isolation and feelings of loneliness, as digital interactions may not fully substitute for meaningful face-to-face connections.
- Disrupted sleep patterns, as the use of technology before bedtime makes it harder to obtain quality sleep and can lead to sleep disorders.
- Reduced engagement and performance in the workplace, potentially impacting productivity and job satisfaction.
What is digital well-being?
The negative impacts of excessive technology use can prevent employees from maximizing their potential. This has paved the way for digital well-being, which is an emerging concept designed to help manage some of the inherent risks of increased technology use and help employees find an ideal work-life balance.
Digital well-being is about creating and maintaining a healthy relationship with technology. It is a subjective and individual experience of understanding the optimal balance between the benefits and drawbacks obtained from technology. A common example of how technology can have a negative impact on employees is the overuse of social media during the workday. This can quickly lead to employee disengagement and decrease work performance. Although many workers rely on technology to perform their jobs, digital well-being is about using technology in such a way that helps employees. Objectives for increasing digital well-being include:
- Developing a clear understanding of the advantages and potential risks associated with technology usage.
- Striking a balance between professional commitments and personal life responsibilities.
- Cultivating and maintaining meaningful connections with coworkers, family members, and friends.
- Efficiently managing workload and minimizing digital distractions.
- Actively participating in social and community events and activities.
Why is digital well-being important?
With the shift to a technology-driven environment, the ability to concentrate without distraction is becoming increasingly valuable among employers. An individual’s technological dependencies and habits may decrease their ability to focus for prolonged periods of time, especially if they are constantly interrupted by incoming communications and notifications. Technology should help individuals achieve their private and professional goals, rather than distract them or get in the way.
Digital well-being enables employees to be more engaged and productive, as well as maintain healthier lives outside of the workplace. Adopting leading digital well-being practices can help employees focus on their work and cause less exhaustion and distraction. For example, an employee who checks their smartphone four to five times a day will likely be more productive than someone who regularly checks their device every few minutes. This can result in improved individual performance over time and a greater contribution to team and company performance.
Finding balance in the workplace
As remote work gains popularity and flexible work arrangements become the norm, technology can be both helpful and intrusive. Collaboration tools, such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams, can help keep employees digitally connected but can also be distracting for team members being bombarded with communications and requests. Additionally, employees may be tempted (or expected) to answer communications and continue to work after the workday is over. This makes it hard for employees to separate their work life from their private life. But employers can help their workforce find this balance.
The National Day of Unplugging, celebrated on the first Friday of March, has been followed by many organizations for several years and encourages people to disconnect from technology for 24 hours and engage in activities that promote well-being.
Best practices for digital well-being
Ultimately, employees are responsible for their digital well-being. Simple changes made consistently over time can make a big impact. Some best practices for individuals to follow include:
- Be mindful of the information and media you consume online. By engaging with reliable sources, fact-checking information, and balancing digital experiences with offline activities, you can increase your digital well-being.
- Focus on positive aspects and achievements of others online. When you avoid negative social comparisons online, you develop healthier relationships and interactions online.
- Understand and manage your digital identity and footprint. Our online habits and activity can shape how others perceive us and can impact our personal and professional lives. This is especially true for social media. By being mindful of the impact our words and actions can have, we can contribute to a more supportive digital community.
- Express yourself and be creative. It is important to engage in creative activities online that promote mental well-being, boost self-esteem, and enable you to explore your passions and talents.
- Address digital clutter. The accumulation of unnecessary and disorganized digital files, emails, and applications can have a negative impact on productivity and stress levels.
- Optimize workspaces. Whether you are in the office or at home, an optimal workspace can improve productivity and reduce distractions.
- Distinguish between intentional and passive use of technology. Intentional use involves purposeful engagement, while passive use can lead to mindless scrolling and excessive screen time, which can negatively impact your overall well-being.
- Set boundaries and take breaks. Engaging in offline activities, practicing mindfulness, and setting boundaries with technology allows individuals to recharge, reduce stress, and maintain a healthy balance between digital engagement and self-care.
- Develop a healthy pre-sleep routine. Getting sufficient and quality sleep is essential for overall well-being. Excessive use of digital devices, particularly before bedtime, can disrupt sleep patterns and negatively impact physical health.
- Consider a digital detox. Sometimes we just need a break from digital devices and social media platforms. A digital detox is a period when you disconnect from digital devices and technology, typically for a temporary duration, to reduce screen time and digital distractions and promote overall well-being.
To encourage and help workers find a healthy work-life balance, employers should:
- Foster a positive digital culture. Encourage collaboration, enhance employee engagement, and prioritize well-being. This type of culture can promote effective communication, reduce misunderstandings, and enhance productivity.
- Train employees on how to use digital tools and platforms. Being familiar with technology allows your team to adapt to new tools and stay updated in a fast-paced digital environment.
- Help employees stay focused and limit distractions. You should not only focus on training your team on how to use technology, but also provide guidance on how to concentrate on tasks, be more efficient, minimize interruptions, and achieve goals.
- Educate employees on privacy and security. This can help your employees feel more confident and empowered in their use of technology and can help reduce the risk of cyberattacks, such as data breaches and ransomware attacks.
- Provide ergonomic support and help optimize workspaces. Whether your team members are in the office or at home, it is important to help create workspaces that support proper posture, comfort, and overall well-being.
- Collaborate and communicate strategically. Collaboration and communication are critical for teams, particularly for hybrid and remote workforces. At the same time, excessive emails and chats can be distracting and lead to disengagement. Too many meetings, particularly virtual meetings, can also lead to physical and mental fatigue. When possible, find ways to meet face-to-face.
- Support employees on their digital journey. You should provide resources to help your team develop healthy digital habits, manage stress levels, avoid burnout, reduce feelings of isolation, and find a healthy work-life balance.
- Develop a sense of connection and community. This can help create a supportive and inclusive environment that allows team members to share common interests, receive support, engage in collaborative activities, and foster a sense of belonging.
- Check in with employees on a regular basis to verify that their digital needs are being met. Managers should ask targeted questions such as: Are you finding it difficult to disconnect from work after hours? Are there tools you feel that are hindering your productivity or well-being? Do you feel a sense of fulfillment, satisfaction, and purpose in your work?
- Encourage breaks and physical activity throughout the workday. By decreasing the amount of screen time and allowing the brain to rest and recharge throughout the workday, team members can reduce eye strain, fatigue, and other physical discomforts, improve productivity, reduce stress levels, elevate mood, and enhance creativity. Your organization may consider implementing activity challenges to promote physical activity and encourage healthy behaviors.
- Encourage employees to disconnect. Managers should set clear expectations for when employees need to be available and advise them only to contact one another after hours with urgent matters. Additionally, when possible, employees should have the ability to turn off notifications on personal devices after workday hours.
Conclusion
It is important for organizations to recognize the impact of technology on employee health and happiness. In today's current environment, technology is an essential part of daily operations, and its overuse can quickly lead to burnout, stress, and decreased productivity.
Being proactive about employee digital well-being leads to a more supportive work environment that benefits both employees and the organization. This can lead to higher productivity, increased job satisfaction, and reduced turnover rates. Additionally, it sends a clear message to current and potential employees that the organization cares about their well-being, which can help to attract and retain top talent.
Digital well-being resources
If you would like more information about digital well-being or have questions about your specific situation, please contact our Well-being Consulting team. We’re here to help.