(Digital) stress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Digital) stress

The smartphone has become an everyday companion for the majority of the population. In addition to the study-related benefits of having access to study-related materials at all times, facilitating the exchange of information between students and lecturers or improving the teaching and learning experience, smartphone use also comes with risks . For example, use in the evening and at night is associated with reduced sleep quality and quantity, depressive symptoms and anxiety. It can also have a negative impact on posture and lead to chronic pain in the shoulder, chest and neck area in the long term.

What is procrastination? What is depression? What are sleep disorders? What is stress? What is stress management? What is resilience? What is digital stress? What is digital detox?

These are precisely the questions we will be addressing below. We want to inform and motivate you to deal with these topics. You can find out how to do this here.

What is stress?

Stress is a reaction of the body to internal and external stimuli that shake the balance of the organism. Stress is characterized by increased alertness, heightened attention and a high level of motivation. If this state only lasts for a short time, it is referred to as acute stress. If the inner balance is permanently disturbed by increased demands, this can lead to chronic stress.

Eustress and distress

Stress is not primarily negative and harmful to health. If there is a constant alternation of tension and relaxation, stress is also seen as positive and can have a performance-enhancing and motivating effect. This enables people to adapt well to the situation and react as quickly as possible. Positive stress is also known as eustress. However, if the demands are too high and there is no longer an alternation between relaxation and tension, negative stress arises which is harmful to health. This type of stress is known as distress.

The stress reaction

All processes that occur in a person and are triggered by a stressor are referred to as a stress reaction. The following levels are distinguished from each other, but are interrelated and influence each other:

- Physical level: energy mobilization and physical activation. If the condition lasts too long, it leads to states of exhaustion

- Behavioral level: changed behavior that can be observed by the environment

- Cognitive-emotional level: internal psychological processes that are not immediately visible to others

 

FACTS

  1. The use of digital media continues to increase.
  2. Both the degree of digitalization in the workplace and the imbalance between the demands and skills required to use digital technologies are leading to digital stress.
  3. Digital stress is most pronounced among 25 to 34-year-olds.
  4. The most frequently used digital technology is email.
UHR results 2021

- 40.5% of TUK students report a high level of stress.

- The proportion of students experiencing high levels of stress is significantly higher among female students at TUK compared to male students at TUK (46.9% vs. 35.3%).

- Most students associate stress with their studies: Time pressure, pressure to perform and excessive demands (as of 2016).

What is digital stress?

Digital stress occurs when a person is unable to deal with the technologies they use in a healthy way. When the use of digital media and technologies leads to stress, this is referred to as digital stress.

How can digital stress be counteracted?

There are various methods to counteract digital stress, as different methods have a stress-reducing effect for different people. Here are a few examples that can help reduce digital stress:

- Positive self-management (e.g. helping to shape your own digitalization)

- Mindfulness exercises, e.g. meditation, breathing exercises, breaks

- Digital detox: taking a digital time-out

- Self-discipline: develop your own strategy for dealing with digital media

Causes
Digital stress
Stress
Effects, symptoms and consequences
Digital stress
Stress

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Tugade, M. M. & Fredrickson, B. L. (2004). Resilient individuals use positive emotions to bounce back from negative emotional experiences. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 86(2), 320-333. doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.86.2.320

Nitsch, C., & Kinnebrock S. (2021). Well-kmown phenomenon, new setting: Digitial stress in times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Studies in Communication and Media, Vol. 10, 4/2021, pp. 533-556. https://doi.org/10.5771/2192-4007-2021-4-533.

Image source: https: //pixabay.com/de/photos/iphone-smartphone-technologie-916399/

Blaszcyk, W., Lesener, T., Müller, J., Neben, D., Sprenger, M., Dastan, B., Diering, L.-E., Jochmann, A., Juchem, C., Stammkötter, K., Stauch, M., Wolter, C., & Gusy, B. (2022). How healthy are students at the University of Kaiserslautern? Results of the survey 06/21 (Publication series of the AB Public Health: Prevention and Psychosocial Health Research: No. 04/P21). Berlin: Free University of Berlin.

Kaluza, G. (2007) Gelassen und sicher im Stress (3rd, ed.). Springer.

KKH Kaufmännische Krankenkasse (2006) Stress? Causes, explanatory models and preventive approaches.Springer.

Lohmann-Haislah, A. (2012). 2012 Stress Report Germany: Psychological demands, resources and well-being. Berlin: Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Image source: https: //pixabay.com/de/photos/frau-verzweifelt-traurig-tränen-1006100/