Vamping, phubbing, nomophobia: the diseases that technology causes us (and how to end them)

The irruption of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has changed our lives.

At a social, work and personal level we act, work or communicate differently. This situation, magnified by the pandemic, has caused new risks to appear in our daily lives. These are the so-called emerging risks.

The main problem is that the high exposure to computers, tablets, smartphones and other technologies has increased our levels of negative stress (distress). Specifically, when the origin is in the difficulty of adapting to technologies, it is called technostress.

The new risks and their names

In this situation new risks appear that affect our health, among them:

• Vamping: the digital hyperconnection subtracts hours of sleep and causes insomnia.
• Phubbing or nuffing: contempt for the people around us for giving priority to our phones.

• Smombies: the attitude of moving around or carrying out other activities without paying attention due to being aware of the smartphone.
• Nomophobia: the need to stay connected constantly. We cannot spend hours offline.

Text-Neck: set of ailments in the cervical area derived from constant consultation on the phone and the adoption of postures incorrect.

All these risks are associated with an increase in the number of hours we spend facing to a screen and a decrease in physical activity.

The combination of digital hyperconnection, sedentary lifestyle and/or overeating is lethal, and ends up generating circulatory, respiratory, musculoskeletal or even mental problems.

This has contributed to our moving from being afraid of diseases infectious and sexually transmitted diseases to be easy prey for chronic non-communicable diseases. These diseases are not contagious, but it is our way of life (a cultural aspect) that favors their spread.

Some changes in attitude

We cannot erase social and labor demands at a stroke of the pen. But we can change our attitude towards these demands. Here are some suggestions to cope with techno-stress:

• Identify the sources that generate stress, that is, the stressors that cause an alteration in our state of well-being. Knowing what causes us stress is the first step to be able to face it.
• Be aware of what activities free us from stress. Each one of us must know what activities allow us to completely forget about the rest of the situations that generate stress: sports, culture, family, friends, etc.
• Search for physical activation. The daily demands are shifting towards the mental part, so it is important to seek to compensate that mental effort with physical activity. This same effort will help us deal with a sedentary lifestyle and the musculoskeletal problems associated with it. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends at least minutes of weekly moderate physical activity. This activity is understood at least as a walk at a high pace or a light run.
• Practice digital disconnection. The hyperconnection we live in generates dependency. We must be able to look for oases that free us from information overload, leave space for our mind to recharge.



• Search for support. Family, friends or co-workers, communication and social interaction are good tools to manage techno-stress.

Planning, organization, self-knowledge. Being prepared to face stressful situations, organizing our lives and knowing our strengths and weaknesses makes us more resilient.

Stress is defined as a mismatch between demands and capacities. Therefore, if we are able to know and improve our abilities, we will be able to better tolerate the stressful situations that we face on a daily basis.

Adapting to change has allowed us to evolve and survive as a species. At a time when changes are constant, we need that adaptation more than ever.

*Iván Fernández Suárez is a professor in the master’s degree in Prevention of Occupational Risks at the International University of La Rioja
(Spain).

*This article was published on The Conversation and reproduced here under a Creative Commons license. Click here if you want to read the original version.

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