People in Germany – and, of course, beyond – are experiencing a constant state of psychological stimulation that permeates every aspect of their lives.”
Prof. Dr Stefanie André and Prof. Dr Timo Kortsch discuss digital stress in a joint interview. The two experts also offer tips on how to become more resilient to stress.
Prof. Dr Stefanie André
Professor of Health Management at IU International University of Applied Sciences
Prof. Dr Timo Kortsch
Professor of Business Psychology at IU International University of Applied Sciences
Prof. André and Prof. Kortsch: what are the key findings of the study on digital stress?
Prof. Dr Timo Kortsch: Our findings show one thing above all else: our study does not measure conventional job-related stress. People in Germany are experiencing a constant state of psychological stimulation that permeates every aspect of their lives: work, leisure and social relationships. Many people aren’t under acute stress, but they never really switch off.
Prof. Dr Stefanie André: The discrepancy between what people want and reality is also striking: around two-thirds of respondents would like to spend more time offline, but only about 1 in 5 make a conscious effort to set aside periods when they are unavailable. This does not indicate a lack of awareness, but rather reflects significant societal and work-related pressure to meet expectations. Younger people and women are particularly affected. Younger people in particular have grown up with digital media – for them, being constantly available is often the norm rather than the exception.
Prof. Kortsch, why does the digital world cause us so much stress? Is digitalisation making us ill?
Our biggest problem is essentially a mismatch: our brains are designed for clearly defined triggers for action and genuine periods of rest – not for an information overload and a constant barrage of stimuli that never really ends.
Bear in mind that the average person today is confronted with hundreds of notifications, messages and bursts of information daily – across all areas of life, with no clear time limits. Our system does not respond to this with a one-off, clearly defined stress reaction, but with a sustained state of readiness: our mind remains on high alert and the brain continues to scan for the next stimulus. Our study confirmed this. This is not an individual failure, but a structural problem that requires a societal response.
Therefore, the crucial question is not whether digitalisation is making us ill. It has long been a reality. The question is: how do we systematically address the effects? It's up to individuals, businesses and politicians alike to take responsibility here.
Prof. André, how can we manage digital burnout?
Understanding the following is essential: Digitalisation isn’t the problem, but the lack of downtime. Stress makes you ill when it becomes chronic. And that is exactly what is happening to many people at the moment.
Normally, activation of the sympathetic nervous system is followed by a phase of regulation by the parasympathetic nervous system. The body then relaxes and can recover. However, in our digitally-driven world this regulatory phase is often lost. Stress levels no longer drop sufficiently, and the body remains in a state of heightened activation.
The result is a permanent shift in allostasis: the body adapts to an elevated state of activation that, over time, depletes resources and makes recovery increasingly difficult.
That is why it is too simplistic to place the blame solely on the individual. To a large extent, digital burnout is a structural problem. The key question is not how people can become more resilient, but how conditions can be created in which regulation and rest are once again possible.
Prof. Kortsch, what does “digital resilience” mean from a psychological perspective?
Resilience refers to the ability to remain stable and continue to develop even under difficult conditions. Digital resilience applies this principle to the way we deal with digital challenges.
Therefore, the aim is to manage the flood of information, constant interruptions and the need to be constantly available in such a way that productivity, well-being and health are maintained in the long term. In addition to individual skills, this includes routines and clear guidelines, such as how to maintain focus or ensure targeted rest periods.
“The key question is not how people can become more resilient, but how conditions can be created in which regulation and rest are once again possible.”
Prof. Dr Stefanie André
What can be done to combat digital stress?
The representative IU study shows that people in Germany are conscious of digital stress, and many are also taking steps to minimise it.
The most frequently cited measures include turning off push notifications, switching on “do not disturb” mode and getting active – without any digital devices. More than half of the respondents also consciously take time out from being digitally available.
Measures to combat digital stress
Question: Which of the following measures help you personally to manage your digital availability?
Top 13 answers
Excerpts from the statements included in the survey; only the answers “completely agree” and “tend to agree” on a scale of 1 to 4
Prof. Kortsch, what are the three most effective ways to combat digital stress?
I think a three-pronged approach is needed:
At an individual level: reducing push notifications, setting aside dedicated offline time, and prioritising periods of focus.
In companies: clear rules on availability and response times must be established to set binding expectations – not as a bureaucratic requirement, but to reduce the unspoken pressure to meet expectations.
At a societal level: strengthen the political framework, such as a “right to disconnect” and, in particular, better protect young people from digital mechanisms that encourage addiction.
The key point is: the problem is not a lack of awareness, but a lack of permission – even to oneself – to be unavailable.
“Clear rules on availability and response times must be established – not as a bureaucratic requirement, but to reduce the unspoken pressure to meet expectations.”
Prof. Dr Timo Kortsch
Prof. André, as a professor of health management, if you could change just one thing about our digital daily lives, what would it be?
I would make rest a priority. It should not be seen as “nice-to-have”, but as an integral part of our daily routine – in the sense of a culture of relaxation that is actively practised. Its importance should be comparable to that of working hours. This is difficult to put into practice in our performance-driven society. However, it is not a question of being less productive. Quite the opposite: adequate rest is a key prerequisite for sustained performance.
From a health science perspective, it is clear that: without sufficient recovery, we will eventually find ourselves in a state of chronic exhaustion. When you are exhausted, your concentration, creativity and ability to act suffer. This applies not only to individuals, but also to organisations and, ultimately, to society, which thrives on ideas, cooperation and implementation.
That is why we need conditions that enable us to take proper time out again – on an individual level and, above all, at an organisational and societal level.
“Adequate rest is a key prerequisite for sustained performance.”
Prof. Dr Stefanie André
