The new year has come and gone, and many of us are left surrounded by the shattered hopes of resolutions already gone awry. There are many theories about why New Year’s resolutions either do or do not work and whether they are useful or harmful, but at the end of the day, many of us are left with nothing but our intentions and nothing to show for them.
If you are really keen on improving your lifestyle – perhaps by getting healthy, taking more time for yourself, or meeting a goal – then you should start out by being realistic while also using all of the help you can get. Making lifestyle changes, no matter how big or small, can be exceedingly difficult because most of us are so busy and set in our ways that we either do not have much time to devote to reflection on our lifestyles or we find change very difficult.
We use our phones, tablets, and laptops for pretty much every facet of our daily lives, so why not also rely on technology to help with wanted lifestyle changes? Many people have found that incorporating technology when making lifestyle changes can help with consistency and accountability and in the end lead to the formation of long-term habits. Below are several different ways in which technology can help you hit the refresh button on your lifestyle.
Going Green using Tech
There are tens of thousands of different tech products that can help you go green. If you want to minimize your carbon footprint by going vegan for example, there are dozens of different apps, blogs, and video channels to help you do so. Alternatively, if you want to live more sustainability in other ways, you can use apps such as Sustainability Aware, Refresh Go Green, and Joulebug. You can also start recycling your home appliances that break and replace them with sustainable, recycled alternatives. Many new appliances are also optimized for smart home technology, which includes options for minimizing energy usage.
There are a million different ways to go green with tech, and it can be overwhelming when you are just starting out. The best thing to do is to first identify the changes you want to make and then go from there.
Mobile Gaming Apps and Platforms
If one of your resolutions was to make more time for yourself, then you can use tech to do so. Many people enjoy playing games on their phones and using online casinos on mobile devices. The online casino industry is growing incredibly quickly, and there are now hundreds of different online casinos for prospective gamblers to choose from.
Depending on what activities you enjoy, you can set a timer for yourself and settle in to enjoy your game, read a book, or watch a show. It can be all too easy to get swept up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life, stresses, and activities and forget about yourself.
Right now, workplaces are seeing incredibly high rates of burnout as workers are trying to do everything for as long as possible and exceed themselves mentally and physically. It is vitally important for your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing to take time for yourself when you can and relax, recharge, and settle into the moment to enjoy it.
Revamping your Workout Routine
If you want to achieve a certain wellness or fitness goal, technology is your friend. Most people find sweaty, busy gyms intimidating – even people who have been going to gyms for years can find them intimidating and somewhat harsh places. If you are not a regular gym-goer, chances are you will also find stepping into a weight room a daunting prospect.
Thankfully, it is now more possible than ever to achieve your fitness goals at home. This does not mean that you need to spend a month’s wages on a Peloton or a set of expensive weights. Instead, you can invest about $15 in a set of resistance bands and go from there. With a good set of resistance bands, a yoga mat, and one or two weights, you will be able to do an incredible number of different exercises, all from the comfort and privacy of your own room.
If you are not sure where to start, one great place to look is on video sharing platforms such as YouTube. Platforms like YouTube should really be your first port of call if you want to learn new resistance band exercises, try Zumba in your bedroom, or even get into yoga. There are thousands of different instructors and classes offered for free on YouTube – just do your research to find qualified instructors who have great reviews.
There are hundreds of different exercise apps that are also great for finding a workout that you prefer. Some of these apps include Nike Training Club, Fitness Buddy, Map My Run, Runkeeper, 10K Runner, and 30-Day Fitness at Home. As with everything, you should start slow, listen to your body, and do your research before using any kind of exercise equipment to ensure that you are safe and minimize any chance of potential injury.
Everything in Moderation
These are just a few of the many ways that you can use tech to achieve your goals and change your lifestyle. While tech can be incredibly helpful in modifying habits, learning new skills, and adjusting your lifestyle, it is important to keep everything in moderation.
It can be very easy to get sucked into a task or new undertaking and perhaps follow it too far or too closely before being pulled out again. We all know people who manage their day according to their Fitbits, which can take some of the joy, peace, and spontaneity out of everyday life. As with everything, it is important to live with moderation, talk with friends and family when you have concerns, and not let tech overwhelm your life.
