The Future of Work: Embracing Digital Wellness in the Workplace

After checking your phone, there’s a 50% chance you’ll pick it up again within 2 minutes.?

So, what is digital wellness??

Digital wellness is the optimum state of health, personal fulfillment, and social satisfaction that each individual using technology can achieve, i.e., you can live a life in the real and digital world without a negative impact on your health or relationships.

With the skyrocketing adoption of AI, digital wellness is more important than ever, so technology and the people behind it can work together in balance. The future of work is dependent on our ability to identify the challenges we face, instill digital wellness strategies into our workplaces and personal lives, and collaborate toward the future we want ourselves and our loved ones to live in.?

Is digital wellness really necessary??

Our opening quote by Amy Blankson shares how often we’re grabbing our phone without recognizing there’s no need to have it in our hands. Awareness is the first step to change, whether it is becoming more aware of phubbing, needing a digital detox, or simply adopting better screen time practices.?

We need to KNOW that digital wellness is not a nice-to-have but a need-to-do.?

Can you imagine the state of our woods and ecosystems if we decided to ignore Smokey The Bear when fighting forest fires??

What’s holding back the adoption of digital wellness??

It’s challenging to summarize the obstacles to adoption in just a couple of points, but this article will cover digital fatigue and research.?

Digital Fatigue?

We get it. You’re tired. You wake up early after working until midnight, between getting the kids ready for bed, preparing dinner, and spending time with your partner after a full day's worth of work.?

Oh yeah…

We didn’t even mention the time you needed to save to ensure your physical or mental health was taken care of.?

What about friendships outside of your home life??

What about building the community around you??

You’ve got enough on your plate, so how can digital wellness help?

Digital Wellness is not another task; it answers your overwhelming feelings.

• Better wellness means better balance at work with your boss and the tasks you’re assigned after hours.?
• Better wellness means better relationships with the people around you because you all prioritize respecting one another's boundaries or communication preferences.?
• Better wellness means your community sees you approaching overwhelmed, and instead of motivating you to chase the American dream, you're reminded to take a break.?

There is safety in digital wellness.?

Without prioritizing digital wellness, we’re at risk of making ourselves available to tasks and notifications that aren’t being solved now.?

Research?

Digital Wellness Institute is one of the world’s leading organizations that supplies education, certifications, and community information about digital wellness. We find ourselves in a unique community of rockstars participating in digital wellness.?

In the past month, our co-founders visited Saudi Arabia and were able to attend a Digital Well-being conference. They came back with smiles wider than the Gulf of Mexico because they were around many like-minded individuals.?

However, this is a very different response from the one we’ve seen over the years. When Nina Hersher began her journey in Digital Wellness, there was little to no conversation about well-being in its relationship with technology.?

We’re still very early in dealing with technology that advances our lives to the scale we see today. This means we need much more research to tell how much technology affects us and how it affects us. However, research should support adopting these technologies as tools rather than labeling them unfavorable.?

Strategies for adopting digital wellness

• Digital Detox: Encouraging regular digital detoxes can significantly improve mental clarity and reduce stress. Organizations can implement policies that promote periodic breaks from screens. For example, scheduling 'no-meeting' times during the day or designating certain hours as 'tech-free' can help employees recharge. Encouraging employees to disconnect from work emails and notifications during non-working hours can also prevent burnout and enhance overall well-being.

• Training and Resources: Providing digital wellness training and resources is crucial. Workshops on managing digital overload, mindfulness, and stress reduction techniques can be highly beneficial. Offering access to resources like guided meditation sessions or mindfulness apps can help employees integrate these practices into their daily routines. Additionally, creating a library of articles, videos, and e-books on digital wellness topics can be an ongoing resource for employees to explore at their own pace.

• Tech for Wellness: Utilizing technology to promote wellness might seem counterintuitive, but specific tools can support healthy digital habits. Apps that monitor screen time and encourage breaks can be effective. Wearable technology, such as fitness trackers, can prompt users to move regularly and provide insights into their activity levels. Employers can also invest in ergonomic office equipment, such as adjustable desks and supportive chairs, to create a healthier work environment. Implementing software that filters blue light from screens can reduce eye strain and improve sleep quality.

By adopting these strategies, organizations can foster a healthier, more balanced digital environment that supports their employees' well-being and productivity.

The future of digital wellness?

So what’s next? We’ll start by saying we’re experts in digital wellness, not in fortune telling, but we can share what we’ve noticed.

As the focus on mental health intensifies, more organizations are incorporating digital wellness into their corporate policies. This includes increased investment in mental health resources and technology that supports well-being. The integration of AI and machine learning is also on the rise, with these technologies used to provide personalized wellness recommendations and monitor employee stress levels.

Our research and work across industries have given us confidence that digital wellness will become a cornerstone of the future workplace.

Where will your organization be when remote work is no longer the hot topic for incoming employees, but instead, interviewees are concerned with your digital wellness practices??

We hope you’re walking alongside us!?

Thanks for reading this week's article from the Welcome to Wellness Newsletter by Digital Wellness Institute . (Author: Nathanael Tyre Conway )

To learn more about crafting a balanced digital life and for resources on achieving digital wellness, explore the Digital Wellness Institute , where you’ll find tools, course overviews, and thought leadership for promoting a healthier digital life.