Combating screen fatigue in the modern workplace

The average adult spends a total of 6 hours and 40 minutes daily on screens. This prolonged exposure to screens can lead to widespread digital fatigue. An increasingly prevalent challenge today especially with technology penetrating every aspect of our lives. As screens continue to dominate our work and social lives, many employees find themselves mentally and physically drained, suffering from screen fatigue.

Digital fatigue has been affecting people from all backgrounds, and experiences, and has lasting effects on society. Organizations are facing repercussions from their employees struggling with digital fatigue in the same way. This silent disease has been impacting productivity, innovation, and employee wellbeing. This blog aims to understand screen fatigue, its effects, and actionable strategies to foster digital wellness at work.

Understanding screen fatigue

What is screen fatigue? Screen Fatigue is the mental and physical state of exhaustion caused by long hours of screen exposure. This kind of exhaustion is not underestimated and is not generalized with other forms of fatigue. Digital fatigue can require unique steps to be cured. It must be addressed and tackled as early as possible; continued digital exhaustion can cause more problems in the long run.

Here are some symptoms to recognize early signs of digital fatigue:

• Eye strain and dryness
• Headaches and neck pain
• Mental fog and difficulty concentrating
• Reduced attention span
• Irritability

Identifying the causes of such screen fatigue is important, as it allows us to infer ways to tackle such diseases too. Here are some common causes of screen fatigue:

• Excessive screen time: Long hours spent on computers for work, paired with recreational screen use for gaming or social media often make the digital interface the only consistent source of interaction with the rest of the world for many. This narrows down sources of dopamine creating an unhealthy obsession over these screens causing screen fatigue. 
• Lack of regular breaks: Employees often skip breaks dedicated to relaxation due to stress from managers or supervisors. Working long hours without breaks may seem ideal, but it often does more harm than good as it leads to overexertion of the eyes and mind. This creates continuous exposure without any recovery time and dramatically reduces productivity.
• Poor ergonomic set-up: Working for long hours with bad posture, poorly positioned monitors and uncomfortable chairs can aggravate physical symptoms of digital fatigue.
• Constant notifications: Being virtually available and reachable by anyone at any point in time can become exhausting. Having notifications on the phone causes us to check and respond to messages right away, which blurs the boundaries between relaxation and being available to everyone else, including work. Since the notifications are persistent in every space and time, it does not allow people to relax properly causing digital fatigue.

Impact of screen fatigue on employees

Mental and physical effects

Screen fatigue manifests in ways that can take a significant toll on employees’ overall health:

• Increase in stress: Continuous screen exposure has been linked to increased stress levels and reduces the ability to unwind and relax.
• Physical toll: Screen exposure causes strain on the eyes and the brain. Often this can lead to headaches, and neck or back pain which today is one of the most common difficulties employees struggle with.
• Reduced mental focus: After long days of screen fatigue, employees can feel mentally drained and numb. This can also cause decision-making and problem-solving issues.

Impact on Workplace Productivity

Screen fatigue on employees has a larger and exponential impact on workplace productivity:

• Lower focus: Screen fatigue can disrupt concentration. The constant barrage of notifications can make it difficult to meet deadlines and produce quality work.
• Creativity blocks: Exhaustion from screens hamper creativity and innovation. This can cost organizations a lot of money and reduce unique ideas.
• Decrease in motivation: Being overly exhausted can drain employees' energy, causing a dip in motivation and collaboration in the workplace.
• Higher burnout rates: Prolonged fatigue can rapidly increase the tendency to feel burned out, absenteeism and turnover.

The cure to screen fatigue

Now that we understand the common pain points that cause digital fatigue in employees:

Encourage regular breaks

Implement policies that mandate employees to take frequent breaks. These breaks do not need to be elaborate; even a simple walk or a water break can serve the purpose. Frequent breaks can help employees unwind and avoid feeling underwhelmed and exhausted by screens.

Create screen-free zones

Create designated areas within the workplace where screens are strictly prohibited. Keep these spaces filled, with board games, coffee machines, and comfortable seating arrangements to encourage unplugged interactions and relaxation.

Encourage boundaries for notifications

Enforce norms and practices within the organization that limit digital interruptions with “no-notification” hours. Encouraging employees to mute alerts and notifications during work hours for personal matters and after office hours for work matters. This will allow employees to be engaged and present in the moment.

Optimize workstations

Ensure all employees have ergonomic furniture with adjustable chairs and desks to provide comfortable work arrangements. These will reduce physical strain on employees, giving them a smooth working experience.

Screen fatigue is a pressing challenge in modern workplaces, but it can be addressed with intentional strategies. With regular breaks and creating an environment that promotes digital wellness within the workplace- organizations can support their employee’s mental and physical health. HR professionals and managers should regularly share anonymous forms to collect feedback on existing policies and the overall wellness of employees. This will provide rich insight into pain points and how these can be tackled. Small changes are the beginning of a healthier and happier workplace

FAQs

What is screen fatigue, and how can I recognize it?

Screen fatigue is mental and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged screen exposure. Symptoms include eye strain, headaches, mental fog, reduced concentration, and irritability.

How can organizations help employees combat screen fatigue?

Organizations can encourage regular breaks, create screen-free zones, provide ergonomic furniture, and establish boundaries for notifications to support digital wellness.

What are the benefits of addressing screen fatigue in the workplace?

Reducing screen fatigue improves employee focus, boosts productivity, fosters creativity, and reduces stress, resulting in a healthier, more engaged workforce.