The Importance of Digital Wellbeing in the Workplace: The “DigiWell” Project

DigiWell, short for “Digital Wellbeing as a crucial element to excelling at the workplace in a healthful and sustainable way,” is an Erasmus+ initiative aimed at promoting digital wellbeing in the workplace through cooperation between eight European countries: France, Italy, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Spain, Greece, and Bulgaria. But why did we feel the need to create a project on Digital Wellbeing? This article's author is Mariella Segreti.

Free Book and Training Course on Digital Wellbeing

The DigiWell project has produced a series of free and accessible resources for businesses and training organizations to enhance digital wellbeing in the workplace. Want to use them? They are open, free, and available to everyone.

Fill out the form below to receive a free book and training course on digital wellbeing via email. With these presentations and materials, you can replicate courses in your company to promote digital wellbeing.

The Need for a Digital Wellbeing Project

In today's era, marked by constant technological advancement, interaction between technology and individuals is inevitable. While technology offers countless advantages, prolonged use of digital devices and constant internet access pose challenges to individuals' physical and psychological wellbeing.

This is particularly true in work environments where constant use of technology often leads to prolonged periods of inactivity. Such inactivity inevitably results in significant physical health issues, such as musculoskeletal disorders and cardiovascular problems (Aweto et al., 2016; Frellicca, 2016). Moreover, screens can cause visual fatigue, with symptoms like headaches and blurred vision (Barros et al., 2021).

Psychological issues stemming from excessive technology use should not be underestimated. The pressure to be constantly connected and available at work can cause anxiety and stress, undermining daily peace of mind.

It is within this context that the Erasmus+ DigiWell project was conceived, with the aim of fostering digital wellbeing in the workplace.

What is Digital Wellbeing and How Can We Promote It?

Digital Wellbeing is a state of psychophysical balance achieved through a healthy relationship with technology. This balance is reached through behaviors that promote mental and physical health and a balance between online activities and real-life activities, or life "outside" screens.

Promoting Digital Wellbeing in the workplace is thus the mission at the heart of our Erasmus project. Together, we have set out to tackle the challenges of digital wellbeing at work through a series of key objectives:

1. Our first step was to understand the current state of digital wellbeing in the various work environments involved in the project.

2. We then aimed to develop, test, and validate an innovative Vocational Education and Training (VET) model in the field of digital wellbeing. Our goal was to create a professional training model that would allow participants to acquire specific skills in digital wellbeing.

3. We aimed to train employers, business managers, consultants, and HR managers to progress professionally in the field of Digital Wellbeing. This training targets key roles within organizations and aims to promote a culture of digital wellbeing.

4. Finally, our main goal remains to raise awareness about the importance of establishing digital awareness and resilience in the workplace. Awareness is a fundamental step in tackling the challenges of excessive technology use and promoting a healthier work environment.

The Digital Wellness Manager: A Crucial Role

To promote a culture of Digital Wellbeing in the workplace, the DigiWell project has created a crucial professional role: the “Digital Wellness Manager.” Those in this role are responsible for promoting a healthy and balanced use of technology within the organization, defining and communicating guidelines and policies for the responsible use of technology. Additionally, this role is crucial in conducting ergonomic assessments and providing recommendations, encouraging breaks and movement during work, and fostering psychological education and awareness, serving as an example and model for other employees.

Work-Life Balance: A Primary Necessity

It is important to remember that Digital Wellbeing is not just about managing technology use, but also about balancing our online and real-life activities, understanding the impact of technology on our mental and physical health, and creating work environments that promote meaningful human connections. For these reasons, the DigiWell project aims to create a framework for a healthy work environment where people can be at ease without being overwhelmed by technology.

Bibliography & Resources on Digital Wellbeing

- Aweto, H. A., Aiyejusunle, C. B., & Egbunah, I. V. (2016). Age-related musculoskeletal disorders associated with sedentary lifestyles among the elderly. Indian J Physiother Occup Ther, 10(1), 145-150.- Barros, V. F. D. S., Oliveira, R. A. D. S. G. D., Maia, R. B., Fernandes, N., & Almodin, E. M. (2021). Effects of the excessive use of electronic screens on vision and emotional state. Revista Brasileira de Oftalmologia, 80, e0046.- Frellicca, F. (2016). Sedia ergonomica da ufficio per il controllo della postura. https://www.politesi.polimi.it/handle/10589/131775

The Erasmus+ project “Digital Wellbeing as a crucial element to excelling at the workplace in a healthful and sustainable way” is co-funded by the European Commission. The European Commission cannot be held responsible for the content as its contribution does not constitute an endorsement, which is solely the work of the authors.