Communications-induced stress is fast becoming a common problem as we add social media to our existing diet of electronic communication at work and home. Internet and mobile technologies have made it easy for people to keep in “touch” constantly. In many cases, these communications are perceived as requiring our immediate attention and response.

“This leaves one open to direct communications for business or personal reasons as long as you are connected to your preferred social media site. Maybe it’s time to step back and ask yourself: have you opened yourself up to more communications than you can actually handle?” says Dr Pieter Streicher, managing director of BulkSMS.com, a global messaging firm headquartered in Cape Town.

Social media functions differently to email and phones. The latter allow anyone to potentially communicate with you if you have publicised your contact details. On the other hand, most social networking services allow “friends” to communicate with “friends”. This social space limits communications to within that network. More»