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Tame
Technology
By
Doris
Helge,
Ph.D.
2008
©
Recently,
I
was
alone
in
an
elevator
in
a
huge
company
on
my
way
to
a
meeting
with
a
client.
A
baby
boomer
wearing
an
expensive
suit
and
a
grimace
rushed
into
the
elevator
right
before
the
door
slammed
shut.
As
soon
as
the
doorway
to
his
previous
experience
closed
behind
him,
he
rolled
his
eyes
and
shook
his
head
so
vigorously
that
he
reminded
me
of
a
shaggy
dog
shaking
off
the
remains
of
a
heavy
rainstorm.
My
heart
opened
to
this
distraught
stranger
and
I
asked
if
I
could
help.
Relieved
that
someone
cared,
he
sighed,
"I'm
a
30-year
veteran
in
this
company.
I
gave
birth
to
an
entire
department
26
years
ago.
It's
still
thriving
but
I
feel
like
a
dinosaur.
I
can't
keep
up
with
the
pace
of
the
new
technologies.
Today
I
received
the
latest
in
a
never-ending
series
of
new
software
training
by
tech-savvy
kids
clad
in
t-shirts
who
address
me
as,
“Hey,
Dude."
I
was
thrilled
that
I
had
a
half-hour
to
spare
before
my
appointment.
I
truly
enjoyed
helping
this
man
overcome
his
despair.
I
listened
to
his
concerns
while
he
sipped
coffee
and
helped
him
design
a
solid
plan
to
remind
upper
management
of
his
value.
As
I
gently
asked
him
questions,
he
began
forgiving
a
younger
generation
for
relating
to
him
in
ways
that
didn't
fit
his
pictures
of
how
he
should
be
treated.
He
began
to
focus
on
his
strengths
instead
of
on
his
weakness.
Technostress
(stress
related
to
new
technologies)
is
provoking
more
than
generational
clashes.
Angry
office
workers
in
many
industrialized
countries
report
spending
up
to
20
percent
of
their
work
time
repairing
malfunctioning
computers
and
software.
The
World
Wide
Web
instant
communication
and
information
we
love
carries
a
hefty
price
tag.
Bosses
and
customers
often
expect
responses
to
complex
requests
at
the
speed
of
light.
Technostress
is
real
.
.
.
and
it's
rampant.
When
tempers
flare
and
patience
is
rare,
we
should
stop
and
ask,
"What
the
tech
have
we
done
to
ourselves?"
Some
of
us
have
forgotten
how
to
nourish
our
most
basic
work
tool
--
our
body.
Chiropractors
cash
in
on
“the
Microsoft
neck.”
Companies
moan
about
increased
health
care
costs
related
to
new
technologies.
In
addition
to
causing
mental
fatigue,
eye
strain,
headaches,
neck
pain,
and
back
aches,
the
electromagnetic
frequencies
in
computers
can
shape
our
behavior.
The
computer’s
instant
feedback
systems
can
cause
us
to
expect
rapid
yes-no
responses
from
other
people.
We
often
become
exasperated
with
those
who
take
time
to
give
a
thoughtful
response
to
a
complicated
question.
It’s
easy
to
alienate
the
resources
(other
people)
we
need
if
we
are
to
thrive.
You
see,
we
haven’t
changed
all
that
much
since
we
lived
in
a
cave
with
our
clan.
We’re
still
hardwired
to
nurture
and
support
each
other.
We
crave
interaction
with
our
own
species
more
than
with
a
computer.
We
require
meaningful
relationships.
It’s
time
to
tame
technology.
TIPS
Here
are
some
tips
that
I
guarantee
will
help
you
reduce
your
stress,
enjoy
more
rewarding
relationships
at
work
and
at
home,
and
more
easily
achieve
work-life
balance.
•
Make
sure
you
nurture
your
innate
needs
to
relate
effectively
with
other
people
as
much
as
you
honor
the
seduction
of
a
machine
that
performs
upon
command.
•
If
you
notice
you're
irritated
or
abrupt
with
other
people,
create
a
brief
buffer
between
computer
time
and
people
time.
•
Pause
to
ponder.
Remind
yourself
that
you’re
now
dealing
with
humans.
Most
people
don’t
operate
as
on-off,
yes-no
machines.
•
Engage
in
genuine
play
and
relaxation
with
others.
Totally
unplug
from
your
tech
tools
instead
of
multitasking.
All
of
us
resent
fake
attention.
•
If
you
notice
anxious
thoughts
about
your
to-do
list,
briefly
make
a
note
you
can
address
later.
Then
remind
yourself
that
research
proves
you’ll
work
better,
faster,
and
more
efficiently
after
a
quality
break.
•
Share
your
feelings
and
emotions
with
people
you
trust.
You
are
not
a
machine.
You
need
to
express
yourself
in
order
to
thrive.
•
Develop
greater
self-awareness
when
using
your
computer.
Place
a
note
on
the
side
of
your
screen
or
set
a
timer
to
remind
you
to
meet
your
physical
needs
so
you
have
positive
energy
to
share
with
others.
•
Use
the
Three
B’s
—
breathe,
blink,
&
break.
Breathe
Deep
breathing
protects
you
from
unnecessary
fatigue.
Fresh
oxygen
also
keeps
your
brainpower
sharper.
Work
is
quicker
and
easier.
Blink
Blinking
frequently
while
you
work
reduces
computer
stress.
Short
stretch
breaks,
even
arm
stretches
while
seated,
reduce
stress.
You
can
also
avoid
repetitive
stress
injuries.
Break
Make
sure
you
go
outside
several
times
a
day,
even
if
just
for
a
few
minutes.
We're
designed
to
be
hunters
and
gatherers,
not
sedentary
indoor
robots
shielded
from
nature.
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