We can all agree that finding ways to reduce stress levels is a good thing. We all deal with stress on a daily basis, but good UX actually helps to reduce stress, or at the very least, it doesn’t add to the stressors we already have.
Sadly, 77% of Americans report physical symptoms due to stress. So, it’s up to us to do what we can to help lower those levels whenever we can.
Besides, creating good UX makes us feel good too, so it’s a win-win for everyone involved. Still not convinced? Let’s see exactly how UX affects stress.
Bad UX Actually Creates Stress
Poor UX makes users second guess themselves, feel stupid and anxious. We’ve all encountered a website (the original healthcare.gov anyone?) that makes us want to pull our hair out. As one writer for UX Pin said, she was made to feel stupid just for trying to pay her taxes on the UK government’s website. The more difficult the experience, the more stress for the end-user.
UX is supposed to focus on making a process less stressful, not more. This is why we should always think about what’s best for the user when considering the design.
Give Users Much Needed Control
We all love to have control. This is why we constantly yell at our phones when those supposedly great mobile providers have zero coverage where we need it most. Control is suddenly out of our hands and it’s stressful.
Even just the perception of control is enough to reduce stress levels. For instance, placebo buttons that make a user feel like they’re accomplishing something is a stress reduction technique in UX design. Think about how annoyed Windows users get with every new Window 10 update. Suddenly, all their carefully changed settings are reversed, taking away control.
Lesson – reduce stress and give users some control.
Create Confidence In Product Functions
Not only are users more likely to use the final product, but they’ll enjoy it more when they feel confident interacting with it. For instance, think about apps for a moment. A cluttered screen with ads top and bottom and hard to tap buttons isn’t going to inspire confidence. In fact, most users are going to feel anxious and afraid to tap anything.
Good UX reduces stress by making users feel more confident. They’re more confident in their own skills and in the product itself. This is why sometimes simpler is better. It’s easier to understand and interact with.
Less Risk Equals Less Anxiety
It’s important to remember that many users actually have anxiety issues already and poor UX just makes their anxiety worse. Even those without a diagnosed anxiety problem feel stressed and anxious when faced with a risky product. A great example is a drone.
Now, someone is eager to learn to fly drones, but every drone is geared towards expert flyers and cost several hundred dollars. There aren’t any beginner fly modes or crash protection options. This means you run a high risk of wasting your money because you’re not an expert drone pilot.
Good UX would take these stress points into account and opt for a drone that has multiple fly modes, comes in multiple varieties at varying cost points, a beginner flying tutorial and a more durable frame and propellers to prevent damage during crashes (some companies even offer free replacement parts for a set period to make the experience better for beginners).
Prevent Cognitive Overload
Cognitive overload is something we’ve all had the extreme displeasure of experiencing. Yes, we want control, but too much control just leads to stress. Nadine Kintscher showcases a prime example in her own post about UX design and user control. She mentions how Google provides a very bare basic interface for performing searches. It’s straightforward and easy to use. It’s only after searching that users have more tools to work with.
Sometimes good UX means reducing available options to prevent stressful cognitive overload. The users get more done in a more efficient manner. This helps to reduce stress levels and provide a more pleasant experience.
Yes, we as UX designers have the power to do something about stress. We can reduce stress just providing better experiences, even though that responsibility might seem stressful in itself.
Images: Nik Shuliahin, JESHOOTS.COM, Michal Parzuchowski