Coping With Techno-stress

“Technology Fatigue and Stress” @ WORK @

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Stress Sources!!! Accreditations Down Sizing Stock Market “ Down Jones” Gas Prices up Health Crises Global Warming Privacy Issue Techno Stress By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Improved Technology • As technology advances, it will become easier to deal with. • But….

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Information Age The growth rate in knowledge = Amount of information available to a Society.

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Growth Rate of Knowledge

Dark Ages Industrial Revaluation Age of Modernism Era of Mass Communication Personalize Automation Age of Information Instant Interaction

1390 AD - 1720 1720 – 1870 1870 - 1950 1950-1990 1990-1994 1994-1996 2000

320 Years* 160 Years 80 Years 40 Years 4 Years 2 Years Monthly

* Based on our ancestral benchmark for documenting information, it took approximately 320 years for our universe of knowledge to double in size. By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Identify Your Stressors

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Technology Over-Load

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Stress and Technology

“Ultimately The body becomes the battlefield for the war game of the mind .”

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

The Result – “Techno-Stress”

 The development of an attachment to technology.  It grows slowly, but before people know it, they have lost sight of where they end, and technology begins.

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Symptoms of “Techno-Stress” Overdoing work and never feeling finished…  Believing faster is better  Not knowing how to function successfully without Technology Inability to Concentrate on Single Issue Feeling of Loss of Control Unfinished Tasks Creep Into your Mind Increased Irritability Loss of Memory

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Short-term Effects of “Techno-Stress” Increased Heart Rate Increased Blood Pressure Increased Muscle Tension Decreased Rate of Breathing Unstable Metabolism Activity

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Long-term Effects of “Techno-Stress” Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Chronic Pain (Joints and Muscles Tension) Carpel Tunnel Syndrome Suppressed Immune System Colds and Flues General Sense of Fatigue Insomnia Depression

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Letting Go of “Techno-Stress”

The best Stress Management Program: Should Addrss Causes of Technology-Stress (Coping Skills) Symptoms of Technology-Stress (Relaxation)

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Effective Coping Skills

The Purpose of Effective Coping Skills is to increase your Awareness of the issue and work toward peaceful resolution

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Effective Coping Skills “High-Tech - High-Touch” “Attitude is Everything” Take Control – Make Choices Make Fun of IT Time Management Talk about IT Fuddle Around Seek Information

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Coping Strategy

“High-Tech _ High-Touch

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•

When “High Human Touch“ is ignored in implementing technology, technology encounters resistance and resistance transfers into stress. Seek Understanding and Harmony

“Attitude is Everything”  Attitude Adjustment  Take Control – Make Choices, Technology is here to serve us not to slave us…

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Coping with Technology Changes

The message? We have to change with technology changes. No matter who you are. The technological changes that have occurred in the last 50 years are astounding. And most of them have affected us personally. • Elements that will help you deal with the new technological realities  Don't be dictated to by technology  Don't be ashamed to learn from others  You absolutely must look at new technologies •

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

How to Seek Info & Learn new

Technology

 Select a Technology Coach  Set Simple Goals  Ask a friend  Experiment & Play  Learn from a student: It pays  Read the manual. A last resort!!!

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Effective Relaxation Techniques

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Effective Relaxation Techniques Physical Exercise Prayer Yoga Meditation (Focus) Breathing Relaxing Sounds Breaks Stress Balls By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Some Final Thoughts Techno-Stress is, and will be part of the every work environment, We must learn to adapt to change Don’t become Statistics You Can’t fight or flee from most of the 21st Century stressors Techno-Stress is now linked to many illnesses Effective Stress Management programs include both effective Coping Skills and Relaxation Techniques. Just Do it Stay Open to Possibility.

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Conclusions  Don’t become Statistics:  Just Do it:  Have You Ever Hypnotized a chicken?  Stay Open to Possibility:

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

IF None Works

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)

Questions and Answers

By: Ahmad Al Shami, MSc. - © 2008 _ New York Institute of Technology (NYIT)