When AI Becomes Too Much...
Understanding "techno stress" and what to do about it
I recently came across a word I hadn’t heard before: techno stress.
Naturally, it stopped me in my tracks.
As someone who teaches women how to confidently use AI in their businesses, this term struck a deep chord.
Because while AI is a powerful tool for growth and efficiency, it’s also bringing up a very real, very valid sense of overwhelm for so many of us.
And that’s exactly what we explored in this week’s episode of “Who you do want to be?” a podcast that explores the intersection of human intelligence and artificial intelligence.
The rise of techno stress what it means, where it’s coming from, and how to protect our energy while embracing AI.
Watch here:
Wait: What is techno stress?
Here’s how it’s defined in consensus by multiple reports found online:
“Techno stress is a psychological and physical strain caused by the rapid adoption of new technologies, like AI. It shows up as information overload, digital fatigue, and the pressure to constantly keep up.”
Sound familiar?
Yes, to me too.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur navigating 100+ unread emails, a mum worried about how your kids are using AI, or just a woman trying to stay afloat in an ever-evolving tech world, this episode is for you.
Here’s what we covered in the episode:
Why AI is both a gift and a stressor
(Yes, we built it to help us. But now we’re scrambling to keep up with it.)How techno stress is showing up for women
Especially for solopreneurs who are building businesses, managing households, and navigating content creation without a team.The power of awareness and micro-action
(Spoiler: I unsubscribed from 100 newsletters this week. It felt incredible.)Simple mindset shifts to reclaim control
Because we can’t control the pace of AI, but we can control how we engage with it.Why it’s okay to not be an AI expert
And how just-in-time learning is the only learning strategy that matters right now.
My personal story from the episode…
I finally cleared out my inbox.
Zero unread emails.
I felt amazing for… 10 minutes.
Then I returned from my coffee break to 108 new emails.
Most of them were from amazing AI newsletters I’d subscribed to in an effort to “keep up.”
And I realised, this is the root of my techno stress.
Not AI itself.
But the pressure to know it all, do it all, teach it all.
So I did something radical: I unsubscribed from over 100 email lists.
Yep, 100.
It felt scary (hello FOMO), but it also felt like taking back control. I chose 3 trusted sources to follow. That’s it.
A small action with a big result: clarity, peace, and less pressure.
So what can we do about techno stress?
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but it always starts with awareness.
Ask yourself:
What part of this is truly serving me?
Where is my overwhelm really coming from?
What can I gently let go of?
And then take one small action.
Unsubscribe. Take a tech-free hour. Curate your feed. Set better boundaries.
Even tiny shifts can help us feel more grounded, especially when the world around us feels like it’s accelerating at light speed.
Let’s not forget this…
✨ You don’t have to keep up with everything to use AI meaningfully.
✨ You’re allowed to take breaks and protect your energy.
✨ You can be intentional and tech-savvy, without losing your peace.
We’re all navigating this together, and in this week’s episode, you’ll hear honest reflections, helpful mindset shifts, and a big reminder that:
You still get to choose how you show up in this AI-driven world.
📍 Listen to the full podcast episode here
And share it with someone who might need this conversation too.
Abha
P.S. What’s one small action you can take this week to reduce techno stress in your life? Hit reply or comment below!