The internet has been one of the biggest things to happen in the life of the average person since the invention of electricity. All of a sudden, all of the world’s data is at our fingertips and it’s changing how we live. Most of the time, it works fine, but sometimes it can run slow, and that can be a real source of stress.
Studies show that a slow internet connection does cause stress among the majority of people. And that’s something that most of us can probably attest to at some point in our lives. When the internet doesn’t work the way we want it to, it can be extremely frustrating.
But it’s not just long delays that are a problem anymore. Studies by mobile phone manufacturers discovered that even minor delays were enough to cause severe irritation and stress people out. When measured, their brain waves changed and their hearts started racing faster, upwards of three percentage points. Their blood pressure also rose in response to the slowness of their computers.
What’s more, when there are multiple delays, the level of stress gets even worse. Not being able to view websites on multiple tabs or constantly waiting for a video to buffer can have an even greater effect on the body.
Researchers are now trying to figure out why slow internet has such a profound effect on stress levels. Currently, they are not sure, but they think that it might have something to do with how important the internet has become in most people’s lives. We’re simply not able to cope if things don’t work the way that we want them to.
Computers are also designed to be an extension of the human body. When they don’t work properly, it can sometimes feel like a part of us is malfunctioning and we get frustrated.
So what can you do about it?
Upgrade
The obvious solution is to get rid of your old internet and upgrade. The faster your connection, the less waiting around you’ll have to do.
If you live in the country, the benefits of rural broadband can be dramatic. You may be able to get speeds approaching those commonly seen in the city, so long as you go with the right provider.
Calm Yourself Down
The other option is to calm yourself down. Your devices don’t have to carry out your bidding immediately. Give them a few seconds to communicate with servers and accept the process. Remind yourself that getting angry about it won’t change the outcome at all.
Reduce The Demands On Your Connection
If you try to download a movie at the same time as browsing the internet, the speed at which both happen will suffer. Your browser will struggle to provide you with a pleasant experience, and your movie will also download at a snail’s pace.
Try to do just one thing at a time. Schedule time when you are not actively using your computer to download all your media, perhaps at night.
