When I first came across the word “techno stress” during our conversation with Doris Helge my mind conjured up images of tight bodies, sore necks and shoulders, overload from loud music and simply having too much stimulation and being inundated by technology. I also thought about the frustration that  a non-tech person experiences when things go wrong and the feeling of powerlessness that goes with that experience.

After our discussion with Doris I came to see ”Techno Stress”  in quite a different light. See for yourself whether you fit into some of the categories or you recognise some of the behaviours. Watch out for:

• being a personality type that is ambitious, high achieving, competitive and takes on lots of responsibility
• mental fatigue
• eyestrain, neck pain, shoulder pains, wrist problems, back problems
• always expecting “yes-no” responses from people
• becoming impatient when people elaborate or weigh up different points of view
• becoming intolerant to long winded information or stories
• expecting everything to be instant
• expecting others to perform on command (like a computer)
• forgetting that others can see things that we can’t see and that reality is not black and white
• expecting everyone to perform like a computer (usually without even realising it)

I am sure the list could go on. One of the big “aha” moments for me was that technology and computers affect not only our bodies but more importantly our behaviours and the way we interact with others. I suspect as time goes on and  more people spend more and more time behind computer screens some of these behaviours might become acceptable or “mainstream”.  I already now can see the beginning of  a chasm opening up between people who live in the cyberworld most of the time and those who don’t….

How to stay happy and joyful despite spending a lot of time in the cyberworld? How can you combat “Techno Stress”?

Consider the following points and take action!

• nurture your inner needs
• when irritated and abrupt create a buffer between computer time and  interacting with a human “Mirror” (remember – what we dislike in others is something we need to work on ourselves within our own personality)
• bond with others
• look after your “real life” friends
• spend quality time with others
• take real breaks from the “screen” – even it is only 30 seconds at a time
• limit the total time you spend with your computer
• stretch and yawn
• get out into nature

Make a start and implement at least one idea. Do you want to know more and get some of Doris’ free ebooks? Please go to:

free ebooks about happiness at work

 Doris also provides unique Mastermind Groups that empower her clients

To listen to the full interview during which we discuss many other things, click on the player below: