As the nights draw in and the days get shorter, it is a good time to consider your digital wellbeing. Online and hybrid teaching has blurred boundaries between work and home – classrooms now stretch into kitchens, buses, and home offices. But being constantly connected doesn’t make us more effective. For staff and students, an “always-on” approach can quietly drain focus, energy, and wellbeing. UK research shows students can experience increased ‘technostress’ linked to messaging and app use in learning contexts ( Biggins & Holley, 2023 https://eprints.bournemouth.ac.uk/37700/).
Even short digital tasks can become overwhelming. Some common challenges include:
· Frequent notifications from Teams, email, or Blackboard.
· Switching between apps and tabs, which reduces focus (Lister et al., 2022: https://oro.open.ac.uk/84158/).
· Feeling the need to be available at all times.
Set Some Boundaries
Academic work can easily blur into personal time. Setting clear expectations helps model healthy digital habits:
· Add a note to your module: “I check discussion boards weekdays 09:00–17:00. Responses may take 24 hours.”
· Use Teams/Outlook quiet hours and tell students you do – it normalises offline time.
· Turn off push notifications after hours; your brain will thank you.
Design for Digital Calm
A cluttered digital space can feel as stressful as a messy desk.
· Keep navigation simple and avoid too many layers of folders and subfolders.
· Limit announcements and emails to essential information only.
· Hide old modules on your Blackboard dashboard to reduce “digital noise.”.
· Make content accessible: uAlt-text, captions, and consistent layouts help everyone (Lister et al., 2022: https://oro.open.ac.uk/84158/).
Connecting to the Bigger Picture
Jisc’s Digital Wellbeing for You, Your Colleagues and Learners (2024) reminds us that digital wellbeing isn’t just about screen time, it’s about creating environments where technology supports rather than overwhelms. Their guidance encourages staff to build in moments of digital calm by simplifying online spaces, supporting balance, and modelling positive digital habits. You can explore the full guide here: Jisc Digital Wellbeing for You, Your Colleagues and Learners (PDF)
Top Tips for Digital Wellbeing
(Based on Jisc’s 2024 Practitioner Guidance)
Be intentional – Pause before you click. Choose tech and tools that serve your purpose, not the other way round.
Set boundaries – Ditch the “always-on” culture. Turn off notifications and protect offline time.
Mind your body and mind – Take screen breaks, move regularly, use blue-light filters, and notice when tech is draining rather than supporting you.
Shape your digital self – Review your online profiles and platforms. Make sure they reflect the professional (and person) you want to be.
Share the load – Digital wellbeing is a team effort. Talk openly with colleagues and students about healthy digital habits.
