A very good article publish in Today Times of India
Technical anxiety: the latest menace?
Recent trends suggest that people of this digital age, increasingly overwhelmed and upset with technical glitches and problems in their daily lives, are suffering from Computer Stress Syndrome (CSS). AT delves further…
Do you feel lost and disgusted as soon as something goes wrong with your computer or laptop? Or feel like throwing your slick new handset if it’s not functioning smoothly for a brief while? If yes, you are suffering from something called Computer Stress Syndrome (CSS). According to a recent study, more than ninety per cent of people depend so heavily on computers and other gadgets in their personal lives that the moment something goes wrong, they just panic. Facing continuous technical anxiety and challenge in setting up new computer products, keeping up with software upgrades and migrating to new applications; or dealing with malware infections and web threats, is creating unnecessary anguish and anxiety. That’s not surprising though. After all, modern technology, which has made our lives easier, is like a double-edged sword. It’s not a cakewalk to understand the latest features/get things right if something goes wrong, but what’s worrying is that users just can’t stand long waits to resolve support issues. Why are we so impatient? Popular television actor Aditya Redij says, “I am very active on the virtual world, which is becoming more and more exciting. Today, we can access the internet from our highend mobile phones too. So no matter where I am, I can interact with fans and be in regular touch with friends no matter where they are. But I am not over-dependent on my computer or cellphone and if some technical glitches occur momentarily, I don’t get too anxious. It’s important to know where to draw the line. No doubt they are very much necessary but it’s not as if I won’t be able to survive without them. It can be suffocating when you get addicted. I know how to keep a healthy balance and devote equal time to adventure sports and fitness training.”Nikhil Mathur, an insurance professional, shares, “Occasionally, when I am working against a deadline or preparing an important report, it does get on my nerves if there is some technical problem. For instance, I remember really losing my cool once, when I deleted a file by mistake which I had prepared after a lot of hard work.”
However, Ashin Barman, a government employee, says, “I am careful regarding computers and gadgets, but if something still goes wrong due to factors beyond my control, there’s no point in becoming upset. I take a deep breath, try to relax and think of possible solutions, or just wait for things to get back to normal.”
Taking a holistic view, Mukesh Trivedi, a stressmanagement super specialist, says, “If you are doing something important related to your profession and things go wrong with your computer, it’s only natural that your mood will change for the worse. But there’s more to it and the elders still manage to cope with it. However, for the younger generation, which has grown up in the times of high-end technology, it’s not easy. They get frustrated and what’s worse is that it affects relationships, as they tend to shout at near and dear ones. The only solution to this is that one should accept the situation and remain calm. Losing your temper won’t help anyway and thinking of alternatives in the meantime will help. That’s the best way to cope with such stress.”
Well, it’s best to accept that technology will have its pros and cons. So, no point getting angry with computers and gadgets only to get affected in your personal lives, what say?
