Computer Related Stress and How to Survive It
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Stress? C’mon, really?

Technology is very cool. I know I’m supposed to say that because I work with it everyday, but it’s true. In the last few years computers, phones and the internet have changed our lives to a degree that all of us can recognize. From elementary school students to politicians to tibetan monks, we are all connected. Ahh, there’s nothing like the smell of progress in the morning!

And progress is a great thing. Technology allows us to do less in more time and finish our jobs quicker, resulting in more efficient use of resources, increased productivity, and ultimately culminating in more time spent at home with our families. Right? Anyone?

Well, not really. It is certainly true that we now have the ability to accomplish more in our workday. But as respectable American humans, we now feel that since we can do the work of 2 people, now we have to. So instead of getting our work done in 2/3 of the time it used to take, we are now expected to do 1/3 more work in the same amount of time.

I’ve written about this before, and I consider it to be the beginning of the “desocialization” of America. Instead of calling, I email. Why email when I can text. Get it off your plate and move on. So to counteract this trend I write long boring newsletters to be read by few and enjoyed by fewer. Still, it makes me feel better.

Alfred E. Neuman, from Mad Magazine, was the ultimate symbol of optimism for all of us in the 80’s. “What, Me Worry?” was the mantra of this carrot topped cartooned symbol of contentment. let’s take a page from his book (pun intended) and try to relax, despite the demands placed on us by today’s society.

Our dramatically increased productivity has proportionately increase the amount of stress we experience every day. This month I want to point out some of the causes of computer related stress and what we can do to preserve our sanity, our coworkers’ safety, and our poor innocent Barbie dolls. (I’ll explain later.)

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Is it really a problem?

Yes. 94% of Americans use a computer 4-6 hours per day. 52% of computer users say that they spend more time in front of a computer than they do with their spouse! (Not sure if this is good or bad. You decide.)

Not surprisingly, of these computer users, 86% have described being frustrated or angry at their computer.

All of us have experienced eye strain, neck and back fatigue, headaches, repetitive stress injuries or lack of focus while at the computer. Constant stress can elevate blood pressure and lead to heart attacks or stroke. It’s no secret that stress can take years off of your life.

We even have our own syndrome. Computer Stress Syndrome occurs when a user “suffers a continuous state of technical anxiety that can lead to “road rage” style behavior. Examples forthcoming:

Over the years we have experienced:

Computers thrown in swimming pools

Computers ejected from house via window

Punched laptop screens

Baseball-batted printers

Gunshot wound to the CPU (no, I’m not joking)

We also have one client that copes with computer related stress by taking their aggression out on Barbie dolls. The doll is always conveniently at hand to smash against the desk or computer, be thrown across the room or stomped on. (Sorry, Joe, but this is just too good not to write about!)

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So what causes these physical and emotional stresses?

Basically the causes fall into 3 categories

Bad Environment.

Incorrect keyboard placement, chairs that are too low or too high or offer no lumbar support and screens that are too small or dim all contribute to being physically uncomfortable when working at the computer. In addition, Office setup that faces a desk toward a window or cause the user to reach unnaturally to use a mouse or keyboard can be a serious health risk. Insufficient lighting is also a problem.

Bad Equipment:

Outdated computers are the biggest reason for computer frustration. Systems that crash frequently or are just plain slow cause great frustration to users. When talking to employees to assess morale problems, the most common problem we hear is that the equipment is frustrating to use and this contributes most significantly to the discontent of the user.

In fact, outdated or inadequate equipment is one of the top 5 reasons that employees quit their job.

Insufficient training on the hardware or software that is provided also contributes to a high stress level. For example, to select a block of text in Microsoft Word, you could simply click and drag, or you could go through the menu systems and perform the same task in 8 clicks. A user that is not trained adequately may choose the long way to do the function because he doesn’t know the shortcuts. Which would be less frustrating to the user having to perform this task 25 times per day?

Bad IT Support:

Interesting stats:

94% of people use computers regularly.

62% needed tech support in the last 12 months.

90% said calling tech support was their absolute last resort.

66% of users have experience frustration or have even gotten mad during a tech support situation.

This tells me that people in general, dread asking for technical help. They will scour the web, ask a neighbor, shake their magic 8 ball or do just about anything to avoid calling the computer guy.

It also tells me that there are a lot of technicians who have horrible interpersonal skills.

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De-stress Your Life?

Here’s what you can do to avoid being a statistic (or fishing your computer out of the aquarium.)

Get Comfortable

Make your workstation as comfortable as possible. Don’t skimp on your chair or your desk. Get something that fits you perfectly and spare no expense. Invest in a large LCD display with high contrast to reduce eye strain. Raise the screen if it is below eye level.

Use a footrest! This much overlooked addition can really make a difference in your posture and lower back.

Get a plant! NASA researchers have proven that having a plant at your workstation reduces your stress level. So go get yourself a fern, bonsai, english ivy, cactus, venus flytrap – whatever makes you happy!

Stretch and take a break, if possible, for 5 – 10 minutes per hour. Get some fresh air. If you can’t leave your desk, try closing your eyes while waiting for that file to save or that page to load.

Get Better Equipment

The absolute worst thing you can do for the reliability and longevity of your computers, monitors and printers is to buy the least expensive thing you can find. Do your research and buy the best equipment you can afford right now. You will not regret it. Your systems will be up to the task for years longer than if you cut corners. Maintain it once you get it. If you have a server, you absolutely must monitor it every month to look for signs of failing hardware or imminent software problems.

Learn how to use what you have. Identify the program you use most often, and buy an instructional book for that program. This will help you learn the smart way to use your software, and save you time and frustration in the process. The “Teach Yourself Visually” series is what we recommend to our clients. Take a look here.

I say this all the time and I’ll keep saying it as long as I have the juice – BACK UP YOUR DATA! The #1 cause of computer stress is data loss.

Get Better IT!

This is where Available Technology comes in. We strive to reduce the difficulty of dealing with computer issues. Our technicians are trained to anticipate problems and deal with them before they become down-time situations.

We care about your business and know how hard it is to deal with condescending tech support guys. We deal with them too!

Our everyday desire is to make each client feel like they are the only client we have.

And we speak English fairly well.

Use your time to Develop Patience and Focus

Finally, I encourage everyone to use their time at the computer to develop an attitude of patience by maintaining focus on the job at hand. Distractions can easily make a simple task take twice as long, so when you sit down, think about why you are there and take care of business without letting email and instant messages push you onto a rabbit trail.

Follow the above tips and you can make the time you spend at the computer more productive and more enjoyable.

The more you know about the causes of stress, the better equipped you are to see it coming and sidestep it before you start buying Barbies by the case or bringing a sledgehammer to the office.

Email me your stress saving tips and I’ll pass them on to our readers. Have a great month!