10 Smart Uses of Technology to Help You Deal with Stress

We all know that stress is a normal part of everyday life, but when it starts to get the best of you and cause health problems, it's time to make a change. Technology can be one handy way to combat stress, whether through the use of apps and gadgets or just using the power of your own mind.

The following list is filled with ways to use technology to help reduce stress in our lives, both temporarily and continuously.

1. Breathe correctly.

This may seem like an odd way to use technology, but can actually be quite helpful. We all know how important it is to breathe correctly, and now it's possible with the help of a focused breathing app. By monitoring your breathing patterns and telling you when to inhale and exhale properly, this app can help you relax and reduce overall stress.

2. Create a plan for stress relief.

Research has shown that the more you stress about something, the longer the period of time that worry lasts for and the worse it gets in general. By creating a plan for dealing with your stress ahead of time and having it ready to go when you need it most, you can reduce overall stress and reduce its effects on your life as well as your body.

3. Quit scrolling for the news.

We're all guilty of scrolling through our news feeds every day, especially when we need a break from work. But too much news can easily cause you to become stressed and even sick if it's negative or pointless, so it's smart to make the switch from scrolls to sessions or even only checking your news at night when you can be sure there won't be any bad or stressful news to worry about.

4. Take a break.

The average American worker spends about 11 hours a day in front of a screen at work, and for some people that number can climb to as high as 15 or 16 hours if you count their time watching television at night in their homes. It's not healthy to spend this much time in front of a screen, especially when it means that you're not exercising or getting enough sleep while doing so. Take regular breaks throughout the day as well as working the same amount of hours outside of the office instead during your free time to reduce stress and gain more energy and health overall.

5. Surround yourself with positive people who help you grow.

When you spend your time with negative people, there's a good chance that you'll notice the effect they have on your state of mind. So instead of hanging out with people who bring out the worst in you, choose to spend time with those who help you realize your potential to be a better person. When other people lift you up, it's easier to feel good about yourself and open up more often and more easily in general.

6. Play games with others so that you can feel competitive and compassionate at the same time.

Obviously competition is a healthy part of life, but it can also stress us out if we only do it for fun or take it too seriously. But when there's a way to combine competition with love, such as playing games online with family and friends, you'll be able to celebrate the best times of your life while also helping others in need.

7. Use technology that helps you breathe better at night.

If you're having trouble sleeping or feel too stressed out to sleep well at night, then it's time to take action by looking into products that can help you breathe better while you sleep. From air purifiers, fan diffusers and humidifiers to even sound machines that help you relax before going to bed, technology can do wonders for your health when used correctly and effectively.

8. Challenge yourself with a new and exciting piece of technology.

If you're feeling stuck or bored in your life, look into technology as a way to add an element of excitement back into your daily routine. Using something new will give you more time on your hands to do other things, like exercise more or play games with family members and friends, which can relieve stress and make you feel better about life overall.

9. Stop spending time on social media, especially Facebook.

There's a good chance that you know someone who spends too much time on Facebook because of their addiction to friends, pictures and other things, but it could be a bigger problem than you think. Studies have shown that people who spend too much time on social media have higher levels of depression and anxiety than people who don't use it enough or at all--especially if they're using Facebook every single day. So if you think this is the case for you and you want to quit your addiction before it gets out of hand, do so as soon as possible.

10. Stop worrying about things that can't be changed right now.

We all worry about things that are out of our control, whether it's because we don't feel like we can change them or because they're simply a part of life. But when you stress over these things, you're only hurting yourself and making yourself more miserable than you need to be. So instead of worrying, try focusing on positive ideas and actions that can help you move forward and reduce the stress you feel before it gets any worse.

Conclusion

The world has become increasingly stressful, and now that we can't escape it at all, scientists are finding that technology is making our bodies sick in ways we never thought possible. So to prevent the negative effects of stress on your health, reduce its power over your life and learn how to live a healthier life overall, adopt some of these easy ways to use technology in a new way--and find more ways to balance yourself than ever before.