How to Curb Stress With the Right Tech
While most people think about technology in terms of adding stress to our lives, there’s actually a case to be made that certain technology can reduce stress and allow us to live more balanced and focused lives. Do you know how to use technology for good?
4 Tech-Friendly Ways to Reduce Stress
Chronic stress has ballooned into a massive problem over the past few decades. What used to be an issue for a small group of overworked and/or anxious individuals is now the norm. Nearly all American adults say they deal with stress on a regular basis, and the effects are dangerous.
“When considering the physical and emotional toll of increased stress, nearly half of adults (49%) report their behavior has been negatively affected,” American Psychological Association reports. “Most commonly, they report increased tension in their bodies (21%), ‘snapping’ or getting angry very quickly (20%), unexpected mood swings (20%), or screaming or yelling at a loved one (17%).”
In many regards, technology is to blame. As social media and smartphone usage has increased, so have feelings of negativity, fear of missing out (FOMO), and anxiety. But at the same time, certain technologies have emerged that are making it possible to reduce stress and find better emotional balance. Here are a few:
- Meditation Apps
While Americans are still more hesitant to embrace meditation than many of our Eastern counterparts, a growing body of research is beginning to win people over.
Meditation has been a staple of Eastern health, medicine, and religion for centuries, and now millions of Americans are embracing it as a part of their daily routine. And guess what? There’s an app for that! (Many apps, in fact.)
Headspace is one of the top apps around. It’s billed as an emotional health and well-being app that allows users to find a sense of equilibrium during the chaos. It uses guided meditation and mindfulness techniques as its core features.
Calm is another popular app. This one includes breathing exercises, guided meditation, and even stories to help you fall asleep. It even has a kids section, which features age-appropriate options for those between the ages of three and 17.
- Vagus Nerve Stimulation
The human body contains 12 pairs of cranial nerves, each of which originates in the brain and connects it to other parts of the body. The most important cranial nerve is the vagus nerve. It passes through nearly every vital organ and traces all the way down to the colon. Along the way, it sends signals to and from the diaphragm, heart, stomach, and intestines. By stimulating the vagus nerve, it’s possible to improve health and well-being in a variety of ways.
Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) was typically only available to epilepsy patients and other individuals who were approved to receive a VNS device implant. Today, anyone can enjoy the benefits of VNS – which includes stress reduction and better focus – with the Xen by Neuvana. This simple device works in tandem with patented headphones to deliver targeted VNS waveforms that put the mind and body at ease. Listen as part of your pre-bedtime routine, while you work, or as part of your daily self-care routine.
- Wearable Technology
The growth of the internet of things (IoT) has led to an increase in the variety and usefulness of wearable technology. And while no technology is perfect, there are some interesting ones to keep an eye on.
AVA is a great example. This night-only wearable allows women to naturally track their cycles as a way of understanding their fertility, pregnancy, and health. It also logs sleep, resting heart rate, stress levels, and more.
- YouTube Fitness Instructors
Looking for a way to stay fit without an expensive gym membership? Lose those extra pounds, pack on the muscle, and/or increase your flexibility with any number of talented and highly-respected YouTube fitness instructors. Here’s a list of some of the top options in the industry!
Regain Control Over Y
Your life doesn’t have to be defined by negativity, anxiety, and stress. By embracing a purposeful and responsible use of technology, you can eliminate many of the problems that have control over your life and enjoy a sense of freedom that comes from embracing positivity, growth, and abundance.
