A fresh, science-backed approach to reframing our often damaging relationship with technology—with tips on ergonomics, optimal screen-time, combatting ‘brain drain’, and more.

Reclaim health, happiness, and sanity in a plugged-in world with this self-help guide for the 21st-century worker suffering from burnout, Zoom fatigue, shortened attention span, and smartphone addiction.
 
Evolution shapes behavior—and as a species, we've evolved to be drawn to the instant gratification, constant connectivity, and the shiny lights, beeps, and chimes of our ever-present devices. In earlier eras, these hardwired evolutionary patterns may have set us up for success, but today they confuse our instincts, leaving us vulnerable and stressed out from fractured attention, missed sleep, skipped meals, aches, pains, and exhaustion.

So how can we avoid the pitfalls programmed into modern technology use?

Tech Stress offers real, practical tools to avoid the evolutionary traps that trip us up and to address the problems associated with technology overuse. You will find a range of effective strategies and best practices to individualize your workspace (in the office and at home), reduce physical strain, prevent sore muscles, combat brain drain, and correct poor posture. The book also provides fresh insights on reducing stress and enhancing health.

Optimize your home office and ease the transition to remote work with best practices for ergonomic adaptations that reduce pain, tension, eyestrain, and fatigue.

An evolutionary approach to re-envisioning our relationship with technology--and reclaiming health, happiness, and sanity in a plugged-in world.

Evolution shapes behaviors--and as a species, we've evolved to be drawn to the instant gratification, constant connectivity, and shiny lights, beeps, and sounds of our ever-present smartphones, laptops, and other devices. In earlier eras, these hardwired evolutionary patterns may have set us up for success, but today they confuse our instincts, leaving us vulnerable and stressed out from fractured attention, missed sleep, skipped meals, and all-over aches and pains.

So how can we avoid the evolutionary pitfalls programmed into modern technology use? Erik Peper, Richard Harvey, and Nancy Faass offer real, practical tools to avoid the evolutionary traps that trip us up, helping us reduce physical strain, prevent sore muscles, combat brain drain, and correct poor posture. They first describe some of the problems associated with technology overuse, then offer strategies for mitigating technological stress, like how to:
• Increase patience and calm while working at a computer
• Improve communication with spouses, children, and co-workers during digital device usage
• Arrange your work environment to best match your individual needs
• Reduce hypervigilance and excessive cortisol production while using digital devices
• Limit the bracing and freezing responses under stress that lead to 'blanking out' or not remembering details
• Cultivate a sense of safety under conditions of workplace threat

"This book is a must-read for anyone who spends time in front of a computer or using a mobile device. You will learn about the connection between posture and mood, the importance of movement breaks, and healthier ways to utilize technology in your everyday life."
—INNA KHAZAN, PHD, BCB, licensed clinical psychologist, faculty member at Harvard Medical School, and author of Biofeedback and Mindfulness in Everyday Life

"Once employers and employees understand and apply the concepts and tools within this book, they will never want to return to the monolithic ergonomic practices of the past."
—MICHAEL J. MARTIN, JD ARM, associate vice president of Human Resources, Safety and Risk Management at California State University Maritime Academy

"Peper, Harvey, and Faass detail not only how computer work injures us, but also how we can optimize our workspace and minimize the risk of musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, depression, and burnout."
—JONATHAN COLLIN, MD, founder and editor-in-chief of Townsend Letter

"In our digitally-dependent world, Tech Stress teaches us how to be human again, as we continue to evolve with technology."
WEIHONG BAO, PHD, author of Fiery Cinema and associate professor at UC Berkeley

"Tech Stress helps us recapture our physical and emotional well-being as it addresses the negative impacts in our technologically-altered world"
—LEROY M. MORISHITA, EDD, president at California State University, East Bay

"It’s rare if not unheard of to find this level of applied wisdom on this topic in one place. Get this book, learn from it, and (most importantly) apply it!"
—JEFFERY A. MARTIN, PHD, founder of Transformative Technology and lecturer at Stanford University

"Tech Stress is years overdue. With this book, readers can find ways to foil the burdens of misapplied technology, embracing pleasure, happiness, and the appreciation of the very nature in which they are embedded, whether they realize it or not." 
—STANLEY KRIPPNER, PHD, coauthor of PTSD and coeditor of Integrative Care for the Traumatized

"A must-read for every ‘stressed person!’ An action plan in gaining ownership of our lives in the modern era by balance, awareness, and setting boundaries."
—ODED COHEN, CEO and founder of Upright® Technologies Ltd.

"Refreshingly clear and direct, Tech Stress offers much-needed explanations and scientifically backed advice on how to balance adapting our technology to our bodies and our bodies to our tech."
—DR. MARI K. SWINGLE, author of i-Minds and i-Minds 2.0

"Read Chapter 7. Then think twice about picking up your phone again."
—DEBORAH QUILTER, host of RSIHelp and author of The Repetitive Strain Injury Recovery Book 

"Brilliant!!! The time has come to wake up to the serious health damage of technological physical inactivity."
—C. NORMAN SHEALY, MD, PHD, founding president of American Holistic Medical Association and author of Conversations with G