What is Digital Wellness?

Digital Wellness is about using technology in a healthy and sustainable way, whether it's our personal devices like smartphones and tablets, or workplace tools such as email, instant messaging, and meeting software. Through digital resilience coaching and corporate digital wellness programs, individuals and teams can learn strategies to manage digital overload effectively.

Why is Digital Wellness so important today?

Technology is central to everything we do, especially in our fast-paced, tech-driven work culture. While it brings immense benefits, it can also contribute to workplace digital overload, reducing focus and increasing stress. Without focus and productivity training, employees struggle to maintain attention, leading to inefficiencies and digital burnout prevention becoming a priority.

What is Digital Harmony? 

I define Digital Harmony as: 

"Existing in harmony with our technology so it enriches our working and personal experiences without overwhelming us or limiting our human potential."

In my work, I offer digital wellbeing workshops and employee engagement in a digital world programs that provide simple, realistic strategies to help people feel empowered, rather than overwhelmed, by their tech. Conversations at work and home are essential for promoting mindful tech habits for teams and individuals alike.

What are the main outcomes if a team starts better managing their digital distractions?

Over the past nine years, I’ve witnessed remarkable improvements in teams that implement workplace attention management strategies. Their relationships with colleagues and clients grow stronger, leadership focus and performance improve, trust and morale strengthen, stress levels decrease and work life balance becomes healthier. 

What are the main digital distractions people experience at work?

Most employees work with their phone on their desk, leading to frequent distractions from notifications or impulsive checking. Nearly all professionals keep their inboxes open, often feeling like emails dictate their workday. Without strategies for digital focus, constant interruptions, whether through emails, Teams messages, or notifications, make it harder to stay engaged. 

What are your top three tips for improved focus at work?

1. Take screen-free breaks – Give your brain a chance to reset, especially when things are very busy. Avoid social media or the news during breaks to prevent digital overload. 

2. Remove digital distractions – Use workplace attention management tools like Do Not Disturb mode, notification settings and keeping your phone out of sight. If you worry about forgetting something, jot it down and address all phone tasks later. Read my blog about ‘batching’ here. 

3. Be mindful with email CCs – Excessive emails lead to reducing email and notification fatigue. Only CC people when necessary and send concise updates instead. 

What are your top three tips for better, more focused meetings?

1. Set an agenda – Ensure attendees know what to expect so that meetings remain purposeful. 

2. Stay present – Avoid checking email or Teams feeds. Managing screen time at work includes setting boundaries around meeting focus. 

3. Turn off self-view – Reduce distractions and foster deeper engagement by disabling your own video preview. 

How can employees avoid checking work emails in the evenings and weekends?

Creating boundaries is essential for employee digital wellbeing. Small adjustments include:

• Discussing urgency versus what can wait. 

• Scheduling emails to be sent the next day instead of immediately. 

• Using an out-of-office message to signal availability while still allowing for emergencies. 

• Leadership involvement in digital wellbeing for remote teams to establish healthier norms.

Can global teams work towards Digital Harmony?

Absolutely! Many international organisations have successfully integrated corporate digital wellness programs into their workplaces. Check out my blog for insights on this here.

What impact is AI adoption having on digital wellness at work?

AI is here to stay and is starting to bring increased efficiency into people’s days and also helping innovation. We need to be mindful that AI complements us humans at work though and that we are putting our critical skills and knowledge base to really good use whilst also using it to help us. Being mindful of effective collaboration and not letting AI replace those invaluable conversations with colleagues is so important. Check out my blog about this here.

How can we regain control over our smartphones?

It’s absolutely possible! My journey with mindful tech use began 12 years ago and transformed my life. My husband was next and then when my daughter got her first smartphone in 2024, she joined us on this path. Read about how to make Digital Harmony a reality in your home here.