Seven ways to avoid digital burnout

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In 2019, The World Health Organisation classified burnout as a “syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully manage”.

At a time when we are increasingly reliant on digital technologies for all aspects of our lives, digital burnout – burnout caused by over-use of digital technologies – is even more of a risk.

For many of us, pandemic life (work and social) has been accessed via digital devices. We often think and talk about the value of technology for streamlining our lives. However, rather than becoming an exercise in deep and focussed engagement via one or two devices, digital technology during the pandemic has been an exercise in deep distraction.

With every person in our lives clamouring for our attention via devices that are rarely more than a couple of metres away, is it any wonder that we are constantly flitting from conversation to conversation or from task to task? And it’s not sustainable – in a 2021 poll, 75% of adults polled said that they want a break from their digital devices.

In charities there are some roles where disconnecting from devices may be particularly difficult. For example, Social Media Managers, who are expected to be available online during most of their working hours and outside of them.

In her introduction to the Charity Comms Wellbeing Guide for Comms Professionals, Digital Consultant, copywriter, and trainer, Kirsty Marrins writes: “Most organisations don’t recognise that those who manage their social media are on the frontline and are often the first point of contact for someone, whether they’re simply asking for help or support or whether they’re trolling the organisation.”

The coalition of organisations represented by Charities Against Hate say in their Guide to Best Practice: “Moderating social media channels on behalf of an organisation or brand can have a negative impact on people’s mental health and wellbeing.”

But it’s an issue that affects us all to a greater or lesser extent, so how do we recognise when we could be coming close to a digital burnout?

What are the signs of digital burnout?

King’s College released a study in 2019 that showed that 23% of 42,000 young people across a number of studies showed behaviour consistent with addiction in relation to their smartphones.

And let’s be honest, smartphone addiction is an adult problem, too. Checking our phones constantly and increasing our screen time on desktops, laptops, and phones can lead to the physical symptoms of burnout.

Symptoms to look out for include decreased physical energy, loss of motivation, reduced productivity, and a feeling of disconnectedness.