Another computer crash? Technology stress has scored again! Deadlines are approaching and critical files are lost.
As a society, we are dependant on computer technology and when we need it most, it often sabotages us. Computer crashes cause us anger, stress; cholesterol levels rise! We can get shaky, feel tense or sick to our stoma
ch. Stress is responsible for 80% of all doctors’ visits.
Many people react emotionally to machines that have no sense of concern or let alone remorse for what they’ve done to us by stopping cold. To encourage anxiety relief, firstly, it’s best to alter your perception of events and attitudes so that you can remain calm in an increasingly technological society.
Three Rescue Remedies for Computer Stress
1) Take a few deep breaths and think to yourself: “Tomorrow the sun will rise again. This too will pass.” These positive thinking techniques help both mental and physical well-being.
2) Either fix the problem yourself or call a technician who can. In the meantime, to help you relax, either go for a short walk around the block, get a cup of soothing green tea or do shoulder rolls! Once you’re calm, you’ll be more able to form an action plan to resolve consequences of the crash. Negative attitudes (screaming at technicians) only alienates those who can help you.
3) Be prepared! Make sure you have excellent backup systems. If freezes or crashes do happen again, practice these simple stress relief tips to save your sanity!
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January 6, 2009 at 4:51 am
Allan Goldstein
Great article.
More Stress relief for when your computer has not crashed.
We once roamed the earth as hunter gatherers driven by primal instincts. When threatened by a stressful event, our sympathetic nervous system was activated, triggering a “fight or flight” response.
The same is true today only now we live at computers with conscious or unconscious stress being present and no one to fight and nowhere to run. As a matter of fact reading this you are a computer right now!
Stress and Pain as a result of computer use
A lot of the tension from the fight or flight response results in tightening of the neck and shoulders. Interestingly, the eye muscles are attached to the back of the skull, along with certain neck and shoulder muscles. This is one reason why eye strain from looking at a computer screen can have an effect on the muscles of your neck and shoulders. It’s all connected.
Along with personal coaching I’m a licensed massage therapist. One of my first questions to my clients is, “where do you hurt?” Almost 90% of people complain about having shoulder, neck pain, and tension.
With further inquiry there seems to be a direct correlation between the amount of time they are at their computers and the degree of their suffering.
The following is a simple four step mindfulness technique I coach people in which has proved helpful in relieving computer-based stress. These four steps will help bring you into the present moment and provide insight into the state of your mind and body.
January 7, 2009 at 4:14 pm
formerlyfrazzled
Dear Allan,
Thanks for your comments and it’s so true that the longer one sits at a computer the more stress they will have both mentally and physically. Your 4 step mindfulness techniques on your blog are great. I agree people need to limit their time on the computer, get out in nature and just move!