When your phone is ringing off the hook and your laptop is crashing, it might be hard to look at technology as anything other than a nuisance. This is why most of us choose to “unplug” when it comes time to destress. Because most of our daily encounters with tech involve work or making plans, we tend to overlook its potential to provide additional help with winding down. However, tech can actually provide some of the most powerful stress-reducing tools available if you look in the right place.
If you’re constantly on the lookout for ways to reduce stress at work, on the go, or around the house, there are several wearables and apps that can help! Here’s a list of five tech tools to unwind after a long day.
Tech-Guided Acupressure
Acupressure is a homeopathic remedy that uses targeted pressure to clear blockages that could be causing pain, tension, or stress in the body. Although the concept is questioned by some, there are studies that have proven the tactic’s ability to manage minor pains and mood changes.
If you’re like most of us, spending the time and money to actually go visit an acupressure specialist is out of the question. Fortunately, technology has provided us with an app for a guided DIY acupressure process that can be done on your own time.
Scheduled Meditation
Meditation is another homeopathic method that is widely used to relieve stress and tension. The practice allows you to train your brain to achieve a calmer, clearer state of mind by participating in a series of exercises. One great way to effectively incorporate meditation into your routine is to schedule it out on your phone’s calendar.
By taking ten minutes out of each day to clear your mind and reset your thought process, it’s possible that you’ll be able to achieve your goals of reducing the amount of stress and anxiety in your life. Headspace is an excellent app to help those who are new to meditation get started.
FitBit Guided Workouts
Regular exercise is not only a key component in achieving physical health. It is also plays a very important role in stabilizing moods and achieving improved mental health. According to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in the UK, exercise increases the brain’s serotonin function. Serotonin increases are known to promote happiness as well as mood stability in the human body.
If you haven’t already, start tracking your daily exercise with a FitBit to motivate yourself to get moving. If you’re not sure where to start, maybe try taking a quick jog around the block to track your body’s response to exercise as reported on the device. Once you get the hang of using the device, set goals for your daily activity and make a point of achieving them to promote mental health.
Stress-Tracking Wearables
Stress-tracking wearables are now available to help users identify triggers of stress in order to more effectively avoid or resolve them. They can find out where your highest and lowest stress levels lie, then create personalized meditation and well-being exercises to meet your specific needs.
Some of the leading stress-tracking wearables are WellBe, Spire, and Vinaya.
Mind-Altering Wearables
Wouldn’t it be great to have a machine that takes the stress away without making you first calm down enough to work through a stress-relieving exercise? Well, this miracle machine might just be a reality.
The Thync wearable device stimulates nerves on your head and neck that signal your brain to feel a certain way. The safe electrical pulses delivered by the device can either give the user more energy or help them calm down. According to the site, the results get better with time, meaning you might not see a huge difference during your first use, but will notice a significant change in your moods after consistent use.
