People sitting at a table with a variety of laptops and smart phones. Digital well-being involves making mindful decisions about our relationship with technology

Coaches can help clients redefine their relationship with technology

Constant technology use is fueling anxiety, disconnection, and health issues. Coaches can help clients develop awareness around their relationship with technology, building skills for both present and future digital well-being.

Challenge:

Technology overuse can distract clients from their goals, relationships, and health needs

Opportunity:

Coaches can help clients unplug from technology to reset, support their health, and connect with loved ones

Impact:

Building client awareness through mindful technology use equips clients to manage digital well-being now and in the future

Wisdom Weavers

A client’s relationship with technology impacts mental, physical, and social well-being

In today’s digital age, technology has become central to daily life, influencing how people work, communicate, and navigate the world. However, the universal presence of technology is not without its difficulties. A study from the National Institute of Health shows how brain health, including mental, physical, and social well-being, is impacted by a person’s relationship with technology, often leading to a variety of challenges if left unaddressed. Coaching offers a solution by helping individuals understand their relationship with technology. By supporting clients to build skills for both present and future digital well-being, coaches guide individuals to balance health and technology.

What is Digital Well-Being?

Digital well-being refers to an individual’s relationship with technology and their ability to utilize it beneficially while also unplugging from technology to rest and connect with others. Unlike e-health, which is the use of technology to boost fitness and health (fitness trackers, meditation, step-counting, and meal-tracking apps), digital well-being emphasizes finding a balance in life and deciding when to access technology as a useful tool.

Digital overload as an emerging challenge to client well-being

The constant presence of technology presents new challenges to well-being. Wisdom Weaver and coach Sackeena Gordon-Jones sheds light on the pitfalls of technology overuse, observing, “We are almost always on a piece of technology of some sort.” With societal pressure to multitask between in-person and digital tasks, Sackeena notes that this demand places undue strain on the brain, distracting people and making it harder for them to self-regulate.

Adding depth to this perspective, Wisdom Weaver and coach Badri Bajaj explains how information overload hinders people’s ability to achieve their goals. Badri explains, “We have different levels of processing and memory, but technology and constant connection overload our sensory memory, and that leads to reduced performance of working memory.” This stream of information can lead to confusion in priorities and distractions, making stress levels worse. Bajaj also shares how technology interrupts rest and relaxation periods, with individuals sacrificing sleep and downtime in order to be digitally connected.

These insights shed light on the impact a relationship with technology has on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. Experts at “The Future of Digital Wellbeing Conference” discussed reimagining digital well-being and practical solutions for the future. From pressure to multitask to floods of information, technology can disrupt an individual’s daily life and hinder their pursuit of personal fulfillment. At the conference, experts noted the potential role of coaches to help individuals develop awareness around digital habits and reclaim their digital lives. The conference also revealed a need for skills-building in digital mindfulness, or the ability of individuals to determine when technology is helpful or harmful in meeting certain needs. These foundational skills can then help current and future generations navigate the ever-evolving digital world.

Encouraging no-tech spaces helps clients cultivate well-being

Building client awareness around digital well-being is a promising first step toward addressing digital overload. Wisdom Weaver and coach Siddhi Japee observes, “Increasingly, my clients are asking: ‘How do I stop myself from using the cell phone all the time and actually get on to do what I really want to do?’” This sentiment resonates deeply with those who find themselves constantly attached to their mobile devices, unable to pay full attention or concentrate. Coaching conversations can help clients evaluate when technology is a beneficial tool and when it is a distraction. Coaches can then help clients identify what contexts support conscious unplugging, or an intentional break from communication devices.

Recognizing the negative impact of too much screen time, Badri highlights the emerging trend of creating designated no-tech spaces. Badri notes, “Some people have actually started to ban phones at the dinner table or in schools because they are realizing how much we need to focus so we can pay attention, learn, and be connected.” The practice of creating no-tech spaces serves as a proactive measure to counteract the strong influence of technology on daily life. Whether banning phones during meals to foster quality family time or implementing restrictions in educational settings to enhance focus and engagement, these initiatives reflect a collective effort to reclaim control over attention and prioritize human connection. By eliminating digital interruptions, individuals can cultivate an environment for meaningful interactions, learning, and personal growth.

Helping clients to be mindful when engaging with digital spaces helps them regain control

As coaches navigate an ever-changing landscape, empowering clients to take control of digital interactions by promoting mindful use of technology is important. Wisdom Weaver and coach Réka Deàk offers valuable insights into the evolving relationship between different generations and technology, emphasizing the need to consume digital resources with intentionality. Réka notes, “Millennials are interested in how to consume digital resources with intention, but future generations are using technology in different ways” to connect and collaborate, so they have different well-being needs. This shift in perspective extends beyond social media usage to encompass all aspects of digital engagement, including the workplace. Corporate programs and coaches will need to adapt their digital well-being offerings to meet the diverse needs of a multi-generational workforce. Empowering individuals to make conscious decisions about their digital interactions enables them to regain control over their time and attention.

Wisdom Weaver Dr. Anastasia Dedyukhina further delves into the complexities of integrating technology into everyday life while preserving humanity. Anastasia acknowledges, “The problem is not that people do not know how to get rid of technology — that is the easy part. The difficult part is how actually to integrate it.” Many people face the challenge of balancing the benefits of technological progress with the need to maintain focus, sleep well, and cultivate meaningful interpersonal connections. As the founder of a network of digital well-being coaches, Anastasia explains that “digital well-being goes beyond limiting screen time” and advocates for an approach where “digital technology can support well-being, rather than us outsourcing our humanity to it.” Coaches can help clients take a nuanced approach that acknowledges the value of technology while prioritizing human well-being.

By providing guidance and support, coaches can empower individuals to make intentional choices about their digital consumption and usage patterns. This may involve setting boundaries around technology, implementing strategies for digital detoxification, and fostering mindfulness in digital interactions. Through personalized coaching, individuals can develop the skills and resilience needed to navigate the complexities of the digital age while preserving their humanity and fostering deeper connections with themselves and others.

Coaches are anticipating the next challenges of digital well-being

In navigating the complex landscape of digital well-being, Siddhi asserts, “One change we need to make is to agree to be less sure of things because we just do not know anymore.” Acknowledging uncertainty means approaching digital information with discernment and humility and recognizing that perceptions of truth may vary among individuals. Siddhi advocates for cultivating kindness, empathy, and a willingness to engage with differing perspectives, emphasizing the value of allowing space for growth and understanding amid the uncertainty of digital realities.

Similarly, Badri draws attention to the transformative impact of technology on interpersonal relationships and overall well-being. Badri contrasts the attentive listening and curiosity observed in communities without widespread access to technology with the hurried judgments and distractions characteristic of multitasking in modern society. Badri reflects, “Wealth has grown, but we are less happy because we have traded relationships with 24/7 access to technology, entertainment, and work.” This shift highlights the need for coaching interventions that prioritize the art of listening and fostering genuine human connections in an increasingly digitized world.

Anticipating the next challenges of digital well-being underscores the importance of cultivating critical thinking, empathy, and mindful engagement with technology. By embracing uncertainty, nurturing curiosity, and prioritizing authentic human connections, individuals can navigate the complexities of the digital age with resilience and compassion. Coaching emerges as a vital tool in this endeavor, empowering individuals to reclaim control over their digital experiences and cultivate a sense of balance and fulfillment in an increasingly interconnected world.

A Call to Action for Coaches

Coaches play an important role in promoting digital well-being by adapting coaching practices to address evolving challenges. Integrating discussions on digital habits and mindful technology practices into sessions empowers clients to align their digital interactions with overall well-being. This involves fostering critical thinking, encouraging discernment in navigating digital information, and promoting intentional engagement with technology.

As ambassadors of personal transformation, coaches have a responsibility to equip clients with the skills and strategies needed to navigate the digital landscape with resilience and mindfulness. By incorporating digital well-being into coaching frameworks, coaches can help clients develop a balanced relationship with technology that supports mental, emotional, and physical health. Through intentional exploration and reflection, coaches can guide clients in setting boundaries, fostering genuine human connections, and prioritizing activities that promote holistic well-being beyond the confines of digital screens.

Transformational Questions:

  1. In what ways can coaches help clients assess their relationship with technology?
  2. What strategies foster tech awareness on professional and personal levels?
  3. How can coaching support organizations in promoting a healthy relationship with technology?
  4. What does a coaching approach for digital well-being look like?
  5. What role can coaching play in reimagining the future of digital well-being?

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