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We're Using Digital Devices To De-Stress, But Is It Working?

Forbes Coaches Council
POST WRITTEN BY
Camille Preston, PhD, PCC Robots Meta NOFOLLOW Disable on this page/post

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Are teens less prepared for the stress of college life now than they were in the past? If so, technology might be to blame.

At a recent alumni event, an administrator at my alma mater lamented that stress had become pervasive on campus. As the nation’s top-ranked liberal arts college, the college attracts the best and brightest. Nevertheless, this administrator sees incoming students struggling. In response, the college has made well-being part of their curriculum, but this hasn’t solved the problem. And my alma mater isn’t alone.

According to a 2017 survey carried out by the American Psychology Association, in recent years, there has been a 30% rise in the percentage of students seeking appointments at counseling centers on campus. Nearly half of those students (45%) sought counseling due to stress. According to multiple data sets from The National College Health Assessment of 88,000 students on 140 campuses, there is an alarming increase in stress on campus. Between 2012 and 2018, there was a 109.1% increase in panic attacks among college-age students.

Technology might be the culprit. This generation relies on digital devices for stress release and distraction. Unfortunately, they might lack the autonomy needed to thrive on their own. Without parents or digital devices at their side, they can easily get lost.

As a psychologist and executive coach, I work with many professionals who are also under stress. Based on what I see in corporate America, I wasn’t surprised to learn that students are also turning to their digital devices to de-stress.

The vast majority of us use our devices to de-stress. I’ll be the first to admit that I like to check in with Facebook friends at the end of the day and watch YouTube comedy snippets before bed. For others, it’s video games or binge-watching a favorite show online. We turn to these activities for a common reason: They help us de-stress. But how much is too much; How can we de-stress online without causing other problems? And how do we ensure that our critical interpersonal skills don’t atrophy in the process?

Digital Devices As A Coping Mechanism

If you do a search for apps designed to reduce stress, apps may appear to be the new Xanax. The names say it all: Calm, Anxiety Relief Hypnosis and Happify. But do these mental health apps (MHapps) work?

There is optimism that MHapps might help make mental health services more accessible. But so far, the verdict is out on their impact. One 2016 study found that MHapps have the potential to support mental health care. The same study cautions that developers rarely conduct trial-based research. When I shared a draft of this article with a friend and practicing therapist, she was quick to point out that cell phone apps are designed at their core to be highly addictive — MHapps included.

OK, but what about other digital platforms? Can they help us promote resilience and build coping skills?

One recent study on stress and gaming found that some games increase stress but others have the opposite effect. The researchers found that puzzle and logic games can lower cortisol levels. Lower cortisol levels are equated with lower levels of stress and less impulsive behaviors. This might suggest that it's possible to de-stress through online gameplay. The trick is to play the right types of games (think mind games, not action games).

As for binge-watching, there are few clinical studies that correlate watching TV with de-stressing. One 2012 study did find that that immersion in a familiar fictional world can help to restore one’s sense of self-control. But again, this study is an exception.

Digital Devices As A Cause Of Stress

So playing a puzzle game on your iPhone or binge watching a favorite Netflix show may help to reduce stress. Unfortunately, these positive effects may be undermined by the fact that the activities rely on digital devices. After all, a growing body of evidence-based research suggests our digital devices are stressing us out.

In 2016, the American Psychology Association surveyed 3,511 U.S. adults ages 18 plus for their  “Stress in America” study. Eighty-six percent reported constantly or often checking their email, texts and social media accounts. The same study found that stress runs higher among people who constantly check their email, texts and social media. The study also found that the highest stress levels were among employed individuals who check their work email on their day off.

But being interrupted isn’t the only way in which our devices are fueling our levels of stress and anxiety.

Half of the parents surveyed for “Stress in America” said they feel disconnected from their families due to technology. In fact, 58% of parents said they were worried about the influence of social media on their child’s physical or mental health. What the survey didn't tell us is how much time these parents spend on their devices. Could it be that their children are using devices to cope with stress because their parents are?

Modeling How To Use Technologies And How To De-Stress

Digital devices might offer a temporary reprieve from stressful situations. But turning to our devices to de-stress too often may also be fueling our tech addiction. As my friend noted after reading a draft of this article, there is nothing wrong with grabbing one's phone or turning on Netflix for a little distraction or zoning out, but setting real limits is so important. What did we do to de-stress and unwind previous to being attached to our cell phones constantly?

I'm a huge fan of technologies that can make our lives better, and I would never suggest we go off the grid. I do think we should remain skeptical of any grand claims made about MHapps. More importantly, I advocate becoming increasingly aware of our digital practices and what we are modeling to our children. Perhaps, the best place to start is by first remembering what we were doing before we were constantly reaching for our cell phones.

Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?