Adoção do minimalismo digital por profissionais de comunicação: alternativas para minimizar os impactos na saúde mental

Abstract

The main focus of this study is to address how digital minimalism can help Communication professionals to reduce the effects of the constant use of the smartphone on their mental health. Due to its variety of resources and versatility, the use of smartphone as a work tool by Communication professionals has increased and become intense, causing impacts on the mental health of these professionals. Searching measures to minimize the intense use of smartphones can be an interesting strategy for maintaining Communication professional’s mental balance. One of these measures is the digital minimalism. Adopting Digital minimalism, the users reduce the time of use and the amount of activities on their digital devices, optimizing technology consumption, based on the personal objectives and reasons. The present study consisted of exploratory research. Results were qualitatively treated from primary and secondary sources’ data collection and reflexive interviews. From the survey and analysis of information, it was possible to conclude that the smartphone has become an indispensable work tool for professionals in the area of Communication. However, the constant use of smartphones has caused several physical and mental consequences, such as headaches, anxiety and mental fatigue. The measures adopted by the interviewed Communication professionals to mitigate the impact of the smartphone use on their mental and physical health corroborate the practices proposed by the digital minimalists’ lifestyle.