IU Study 2026 | Executive Summary
From “constant mental stimulation” to digital exhaustion
Are digitalisation and digital devices causing stress? Many people in Germany are familiar with this feeling. Digital stress is primarily caused by the constant need to be available in everyday life, driven by habits, triggers and the pressure to meet expectations.
People in Germany are in a state of “constant digital availability”: 81.0% check their digital devices at least once an hour, even when they haven’t received any notifications. These digital habits also impact particularly delicate times in the morning and evening: around three-quarters of respondents use their smartphones, tablets and other devices within 30 minutes of waking up or before going to sleep. These are the findings of the representative IU study on digital stress.
What’s the problem with being constantly available online? More than 2 out of 5 people in Germany say they constantly feel as though they are “on standby” and find it difficult to switch off. According to Prof. Dr Stefanie André, Professor of Health Management at IU International University of Applied Sciences, this “constant mental stimulation” encompasses all areas of life and makes it difficult to manage stress through genuine rest. The common consequences of this include exhaustion and poor concentration.
56.0% people in Germany say they would like to spend more time offline. But why aren’t they? According to Prof. Dr Timo Kortsch, Professor of Business Psychology at IU International University of Applied Sciences, this is due to the combination of digital stimuli such as push notifications, and the pressure to always be available.
“Being ‘always on’ is not a personal lifestyle choice, but a systemic health risk,” says Prof. Dr Stefanie André, commenting on the study’s findings. In a joint interview, the two IU experts offer suggestions on how, in the context of constant digital connectivity, we can minimise our state of constant alertness and strengthen our ability to wind down.
What is digital stress?
Prof. Dr Stefanie André teaches and researches health management at IU International University of Applied Sciences. The expert explains what is meant by “digital stress” and what causes it.
Digital stress: Definition
Digital stress refers to a psychological and physical stress response that arises when dealing with digital demands, particularly when these are perceived as unmanageable or uncontrollable and / or are constantly present without sufficient opportunities for rest and regulation.
Digital stress affects both work and private life and manifests itself in persistent tension, difficulty concentrating, exhaustion, sleep disturbances, and a reduced ability to switch off and relax.
In many cases, digital stress is not primarily caused by digital technology itself, but by structural conditions paired with insufficient opportunities for self-regulation and is, therefore, a manifestation of an imbalance between stimulation and regulation.
Digital stress vs. technological stress
Digital stress is a broad term referring to the pressures associated with digital technologies and digital communication in professional and in private life. Triggers include information overload, constant availability and a lack of boundaries.
Technological stress, by contrast, specifically refers to the stress arising from the demands and use of digital technologies; for example, due to complex applications, constant updates or pressure to adapt. It was first studied mainly in a work context and focuses more on the technical characteristics of digital systems as a source of stress.
Prof. Dr Stefanie André
Professor of Health Management at IU International University of Applied Sciences
Key Facts
Study on digital stress: key findings
Ping or push? Many people check their digital notifications immediately.
64.6 %
tend to agree or completely agree that they instantly look whenever a new message or notification comes through on their digital devices.
Having a smartphone within reach is essential – even whilst doing other things.
62.8 %
tend to agree or completely agree that they use their smartphone while doing other things (e.g. while eating, chatting, watching TV).
“I feel as though I have to be constantly available in my daily life, both at work and in my private life.”
42.2 %
of employees completely agree or tend to agree with this statement.
Always on: just under half feel as though they are constantly “on standby”.
44.2 %
say: I feel as though my mind is constantly “on standby” (completely agree / tend to agree).
Most people would like to spend more time offline.
56.0 %
completely agree or tend to agree that they would like to be offline more often than they currently are.
The most common way to combat digital stress? Turn off push notifications.
38.4 %
say they turn off push notifications to manage their digital availability.
Ping or push? Many people check their digital notifications immediately.
64.6 %
tend to agree or completely agree that they instantly look whenever a new message or notification comes through on their digital devices.
Having a smartphone within reach is essential – even whilst doing other things.
62.8 %
tend to agree or completely agree that they use their smartphone while doing other things (e.g. while eating, chatting, watching TV).
“I feel as though I have to be constantly available in my daily life, both at work and in my private life.”
42.2 %
of employees completely agree or tend to agree with this statement.
Always on: just under half feel as though they are constantly “on standby”.
44.2 %
say: I feel as though my mind is constantly “on standby” (completely agree / tend to agree).
Most people would like to spend more time offline.
56.0 %
completely agree or tend to agree that they would like to be offline more often than they currently are.
The most common way to combat digital stress? Turn off push notifications.
38.4 %
say they turn off push notifications to manage their digital availability.
There may be marginal deviations in the results due to rounding off.
The results show that we are “always on” in our everyday lives: our minds are constantly active from the moment we wake up until we fall asleep: throughout work, family life and our daily routines. Many people want to spend more time offline, but find it difficult to do so due to the way their lives are structured. This is not merely an individual issue of self-management, but a societal pattern of stress, with health and economic consequences.”
Prof. Dr Stefanie André
Professor of Health Management at IU International University of Applied Sciences
Study contents
Digital stress: discover all the facts and figures now
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