High Tech/High Touch: Highly Compatible?
Plus Health promotes a balanced and human approach to the health and well-being of individual employees in an increasingly tech heavy corporate America
This morning I listened to a segment on NPR covering this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas where 20,000 new products were on display. Almost all of those new products tout internet connectivity where the desire and ability to collect huge amounts of data have spurred a whole range of new devices. One product that stood out was a baby onesie that would alert parents of any irregular breathing or, closer to feeding time, estimate when their bundle of joy would wake up – automatically triggering a bottle to be warmed. This prompted the program host to joke that this device nearly eliminates the baby’s need to cry or express herself.
The Problem
That comment, to me, is a bit concerning. While technology is undoubtedly useful, exciting and a lot of fun, we are paying a price in terms of our own health and development. That price is still subtle but has the potential to balloon into something much bigger – especially in the workplace. Technology has caused the lines between work and the rest of our lives to blur – leaving us vulnerable to the demands of our employer wherever and whenever we are needed. This convenience has led to employees now being even less likely to spend time to take care of themselves. They are less inclined to go for a hike or run, receive a massage or find other, leisurely ways to relieve their accumulated stress and instead, spend more time to hunch over their smart phones, tablets or laptops (aggravating our already strong tendencies toward a sedentary lifestyle).
The Solution: finding balance
While this may seem beneficial to a company’s short term, for profit objectives – who doesn’t like a dedicated employee? – this behavior is not sustainable over time. Fortunately, companies like Google, Apple and Cisco have long realized this fact and have built Integrative Medicine Centers employing MDs, registered nurses, acupuncturists, massage therapists, chiropractors and nutritionists. These companies – who happen to live and breathe all things tech – realize that despite technology’s benefits , there remains a basic and essential need for balance in everything we set out to do. To them, the health of their employees is critical to successfully attaining their vision. Success – evolutionary or merely viewed from the perspective of one company – is predicated on a healthy balance between High Tech and High Touch.