5 Steps To Reduce Your Technology Related Stress

If your gadgets are stressing you out, maybe it’s time to unplug’at least for a little while. Learn how to reduce your tech stress with these tips. The first step to reducing your technology-related stress is realizing that your gadgets may be causing you grief. Feeling alone even as you communicate with people all day is a signal that technology is dominating your life. Take stock of how much time you spend texting, emailing, surfing and pinging each day.

* Take baby steps

Try being inaccessible for short spurts to see what happens to your mood. Start by shutting all your technology down for one hour each day. You’ll likely find that you didn’t miss much by being offline for a while.

* Give clear instructions

Try an email signature that reads “I answer email at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. If you need a quicker response, please call.”

* Stick to a schedule

Handle recreational Web surfing and email at set times. Dipping in and out is classic self-interruption.

* Set limits

Rein in office email and instant message traffic. Who truly needs 35 daily FYIs on the Henderson case?

* Do a reality check

After five minutes of unplanned surfing, ask yourself, “Should I really be doing this now?”