Digital burnout occurs as a result of spending excessive amounts of time on digital devices. It causes stress, fatigue, desensitization toward the environment, loss of interest, and physical and mental problems. – The Digital Burnout Scale Development Study, Erten & Ozdemir.
The reality of our lives today in the western world is that many hours are spent looking at or focussed on a screen. What are all these hours doing to our bodies? Yes there are measurable effects that are being identified by scientists.
Digital burnout has been defined as a syndrome where individuals may experience physical, psychological and social disturbances due to excessive exposure to digital culture and devices.
It is characterised by:
Fatigue/exhaustion
Reduced productivity
Stress
Physical & mental health issues
Inability to regulate emotions
In the digital age, we face a constant influx of information which may lead to indecisiveness, confusion, stress, and
mental fatigue.
Further, mental health may be impacted in several ways:
- Psychological stress, overwhelm and anxiety
- Sleep disturbances due to blue light emitted from devices, in addition to the compulsion to check for new information
- Challenges with attention and concentration, leading to reduced productivity
- Social comparison and poor self-esteem
A Naturopathic solution to digital burnout would support an adaptation of life style and also work to repair and restore body systems using herbs and nutrition in line with the patients health goals.