It’s no secret that technology has transformed how we work, but it’s also created a new kind of exhaustion. Between back-to-back meetings, a constant stream of notifications and blurred boundaries between work and personal time, many individuals are feeling the very real effects of digital fatigue. 

This isn’t just about sore eyes or a stiff neck. It’s 

• Low mental capacity 
• Low energy 
• Reduced productivity 
• And the creeping sense that you need to be ‘on’ all the time 

If left unchecked, digital fatigue can chip away at an individual’s performance, health, wellbeing and their engagement at work. 

To really understand what’s going on, you first need to understand what digital fatigue is. Then we’ll look at how to reset in a way that works for you, your team and organisation. 

What Is Digital Fatigue? 

Digital fatigue is a state of mental exhaustion. It builds up when you spend extended time using multiple digital tools, usually multitasking and often without meaningful breaks. It’s the cumulative impact of multitasking across emails, video calls, Teams or Slack, project platform and notifications, all day, every day. 

Common signs include: 

• Lack of mental clarity or focus 
• Feeling ‘flat’, tired or burnt out 
• Physical symptoms like sore shoulders, back, or headaches 
• Shorter attention spans and irritability 
• A sense of being overwhelmed by simple, repetitive tasks 

Sound familiar? You’re not alone. 

Top Practical Ways to Reduce Digital Fatigue 

A complete digital detox, especially while working, isn’t possible. So, we’re encouraging small, conscious shifts in your day where you can recharge your energy, focus and performance, without sacrificing productivity. 

Here are a few strategies we’ve found useful, both personally and across our teams. 

1. Reimagine Your Meetings 

Not every meeting needs to be a video call. For internal one-on-ones or simple check-ins, try switching to a phone call and take it while walking. This small change gives your body a break from sitting and your brain a break from the screen. Natural light, movement, and a change of scenery can do wonders for your mental clarity and productivity. 

2. Build Micro-Breaks Into Your Day 

The human brain isn’t designed to operate in back-to-back blocks. Stepping away — even for five minutes — can help reset your focus. Use your lunch break to move, stretch, go outside, or simply switch off. These intentional pauses are not a luxury; they’re essential to performing at your best across the day. Try using the Pomodoro Technique to help with your time management and consciously build breaks into your workday. 

3. Simplify Your Digital Landscape 

Switching between multiple platforms fragments your focus. Where possible, align with your team on using one primary channel for communication. Whether it’s Teams, Slack, or email, consolidation reduces friction and allows you to concentrate on what matters most. 

4. Protect Space to Switch Off 

Leaders set the tone — so make it normal to take breaks, disconnect at the end of the day and honour time away from screens. Encourage your team to log off when their work is done, and role model the behaviour. Whether it’s an afternoon off or a full day to recharge, those moments of rest restore performance and wellbeing long-term. In Australia, “employees of non-small business employers have the right to refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact (or attempted contact) outside their working hours, unless doing so is unreasonable. This includes contact (or attempted contact) from an employer or a third party.” Fair Work Ombudsman 

5. Prioritise the Basics 

We often overlook the simple things: sleep, water, movement, nutrition and meaningful, in-person connection. Making time for non-digital moments — laughing with a friend, having a coffee away from your desk, or just taking a breath — has a compound impact on how you show up at work and in life. Try these simple techniques to help you be more mindful at work. 

Digital fatigue doesn’t need to be your default. With clear boundaries, healthy habits and conscious effort, you can take back control of your energy, creating a more sustainable rhythm for yourself and your team.