Page 6 - Digital fatigue

Right:
The Digital Depths
Source: original by PACO Design Collaborative, 2022. Elaborated from the article "The digital workplace and its dark side: An integrative review", by Elizabeth Marsh, Elvira Perez Vallejos, Alexa Spence, 2022.
This page:
Digital Fatigue, stressors and symptoms
Source: original by PACO Design Collaborative, 2022. Elaborated from the articles "Managing Digital Fatigue, How to Balance the Benefits & Struggles of the Digital Day-to-Day ", by LIXAR, 2021 and "Identifying and Managing Digital Fatigue" by Growth in motion, 2021.
tasks should be carried out remotely and which in person. Although organisations and individuals are both able to better manage these aspects of their working lives, a few factors continue to threaten an engaging and healthy experience.
The first is that the number of tools, apps and platforms for work has multiplied rapidly. According to some studies, the average medium-to- large size enterprise now has more than 300 mission-critical apps4, while individual employees are tasked to gain proficiency on nine to 12 or even more. Cisco estimate that in 2023 this number will increase to 13.4 in the United States5.
As we get more reliant on such tools, we become more conscious of how distracting and exhausting the proliferation of applications and devices can be. Many researchers agree that access fosters a 'monkey mind' style of attention; a concept derived from Buddhist philosophy that defines the condition in which conscious attention is unable to remain fixed on a single object and frantically moves from one to another.
This is an attention deficit that the use of mobile phones - more out of curiosity than necessity - has amplified6.
A second critical factor is the time we spend in front of screens. Most of the activities we perform today, whether work, leisure or entertainment,
Massive virtual interactions and persistent notifications
PHYSICAL
Engaging just in
digital task: lack of physical activities
DIGITAL FATIGUE
STRESSORS
Excessive use of video calls and decreased breaks
in between them
SYMPTOMS COGNITIVE
• Sensory overstimulation
• Perception of time and space
• Perpetual distraction
• Difficulty making decisions
• Difficulty handling simple tasks • Goldfish Effect
• Monkey mind attention
Digital work overload and media multitasking
Constant exposure to blue light emission and screen use before bed
• Altered circadian rhythm
• Eye strain and blurry vision • Headaches or migraines
• Sore and stiff muscles
• Increased sensitivity to light • Low energy levels
• Difficulty falling asleep
• Low mood and hopelessness eyes & blurry vision
Alterations in the circadian rest-activity rhythm
EMOTIONAL/BEHAVIOURAL
Digital eye strain:
sore, tired, burning, or itching
• Fee Hlinegadoavcehrwesheolrmeidgranindeasnxious
Sore muscles:
• Snappy or irrational behaviour
especially in the neck, • Feeling lethargic
shoulders, and back
• Lower interest in relationships
Knee stiffness
• Lack of motivation Increased sensitivity to light
• Feelin gLomworenemrgoytiloenvaels Difficulty falling asleep