USING APPS TO TUNE OUT

September 28, 2019

USING APPS TO TUNE OUT

People often use the phrase there’s an app for that ironically, commenting on the overabundance of smartphone apps for just about everything under the sun. Credit goes to Apple, who made the phrase famous via their App Store commercials (and trademarked it).

There’s a lot of truth in that phrase. So much truth, in fact, that digital detox has become the new trend. Detoxing from your technology is recommended as a way to return to the physical world and to reduce stress. No juices or pills required, just put the smartphone down and back away.

But technology has become so omnipresent that it should come as no surprise that… there’s an app for that too. Many, actually.

“Detox” Apps

To truly step away from technology, sometimes you’ve got to be firm with yourself. Apps that track your online time, lock you out of your phone, limit your internet time, or automatically shut off help you unplug when you need a little extra push to get there. Check out apps like Moment that coaches you to regain time, Flipd which trains you to stay focused, or Forest which makes unplugging game-like and celebrates your successes by planting real trees.

Sometimes Technology can Help Bring the Solution

Unplugging electronically and genuinely connecting with your family or the natural world are both worthy goals, but technology isn’t always the problem. And walking away from your digital life for a time isn’t always a realistic option. The same technology we demonize can sometimes offer the exact solution you need to center yourself and connect with your world.

Meditation/Mindfulness Apps

Technology isn’t the only stressor in your life. Stress is everywhere. Simply putting down your phone doesn’t automatically lead you to Nirvana. Stress management apps like Headspace and Calm use meditation practice to lower your stress level and help you sleep. Apps like Breathe Easy (available on Google Play and the App Store), and Prana Breath (available on Google Play) focus on controlling and connecting with your breath for calming techniques you can use anywhere, with our without technology.  In fact many people pay a lot of money to learn these techniques from instructors; the APPs that convey these skills are just easier to find and less expensive.

Sleep Improvement

Adequate, quality sleep is essential for every part of your life. You can’t be your best or be truly present in your life when suffering from  sleep deprivation. Instead of turning off your phone when you can’t sleep, you are able to use your phone as a tool to improve your shut-eye. White Noise comes with a number of relaxing sounds to lull you to sleep, along with shut-off timers and wake-up alarms. Relax & Sleep Well helps you develop healthy sleep patterns using hypnotherapy and meditation. Both are available for Android and on iPhone.

Nature Sounds

Not everyone has access to the great outdoors or the freedom to go incommunicado at will. When your lifestyle or location mean you can’t actually connect with nature or disconnect from your surroundings, apps that play nature sounds can help connect you to the outside world and your inner peace. Naturespace and Rain Rain help you relax, sleep, or surround yourself with peaceful nature sounds on Android or iPhone.  

People often use the phrase there’s an app for thatironically, commenting on the overabundance of smartphone apps for just about everything under the sun. Credit goes to Apple, who made the phrase famous via their App Store commercials (and trademarked it).

There’s a lot of truth in that phrase. So much truth, in fact, that digital detox has become the new trend. Detoxing from your technology is recommended as a way to return to the physical world and to reduce stress. No juices or pills required, just put the smartphone down and back away.

But technology has become so omnipresent that it should come as no surprise that… there’s an app for that too. Many, actually.

“Detox” Apps

To truly step away from technology, sometimes you’ve got to be firm with yourself. Apps that track your online time, lock you out of your phone, limit your internet time, or automatically shut off help you unplug when you need a little extra push to get there. Check out apps like Moment that coaches you to regain time, Flipd which trains you to stay focused, or Forest which makes unplugging game-like and celebrates your successes by planting real trees.

Sometimes Technology can Help Bring the Solution

Unplugging electronically and genuinely connecting with your family or the natural world are both worthy goals, but technology isn’t always the problem. And walking away from your digital life for a time isn’t always a realistic option. The same technology we demonize can sometimes offer the exact solution you need to center yourself and connect with your world.

Meditation/Mindfulness Apps

Technology isn’t the only stressor in your life. Stress is everywhere. Simply putting down your phone doesn’t automatically lead you to Nirvana. Stress management apps like Headspace and Calm use meditation practice to lower your stress level and help you sleep. Apps like Breathe Easy (available on Google Play and the App Store), and Prana Breath (available on Google Play) focus on controlling and connecting with your breath for calming techniques you can use anywhere, with our without technology.  In fact many people pay a lot of money to learn these techniques from instructors; the APPs that convey these skills are just easier to find and less expensive.

Sleep Improvement

Adequate, quality sleep is essential for every part of your life. You can’t be your best or be truly present in your life when suffering from  sleep deprivation. Instead of turning off your phone when you can’t sleep, you are able to use your phone as a tool to improve your shut-eye. White Noise comes with a number of relaxing sounds to lull you to sleep, along with shut-off timers and wake-up alarms. Relax & Sleep Well helps you develop healthy sleep patterns using hypnotherapy and meditation. Both are available for Android and on iPhone.

Nature Sounds

Not everyone has access to the great outdoors or the freedom to go incommunicado at will. When your lifestyle or location mean you can’t actually connect with nature or disconnect from your surroundings, apps that play nature sounds can help connect you to the outside world and your inner peace. Naturespace and Rain Rain help you relax, sleep, or surround yourself with peaceful nature sounds on Android or iPhone.  

A Tool is a Tool

Despise it or utilize it, technology is just a tool after all and it’s certainly here to stay.  Balance is the key to managing almost everything.  So, make sure you step away from your device and make human connection, but use technology to achieve meaningful improvements in your world; it’s a matter of balancing these things.  Making and using tools is one-way we humans adapt, and adaptability is a critical skill in our changing world.  

Despise it or utilize it, technology is just a tool after all and it’s certainly here to stay.  Balance is the key to managing almost everything.  So, make sure you step away from your device and make human connection, but use technology to achieve meaningful improvements in your world; it’s a matter of balancing these things.  Making and using tools is one-way we humans adapt, and adaptability is a critical skill in our changing world.  



Also in Health Talk

neglected male health issues
5 Common Health Issues for Men You Should Think More About

November 29, 2024

Read More
how to treat seasonal affective disorder
How to Identify and Treat Seasonal Affective Disorder

November 23, 2024

Read More
woman adding deepmarine collagen powder to a glass
Why Hydrolyzed Collagen is Better

November 15, 2024

Read More