Stress, the six-letter word everyone fears. Whether you are worried about your upcoming ITIL certification or PRINCE2 training, it can have a negative effect on productivity and general health.
According to the Australian Psychological Society, more and more Australians are turning to self-destructive behaviours to manage stress. Researchers found that people who reported they were severely stressed were 61 per cent more likely to engage in drinking alcohol and 40 per cent more likely to turn to smoking to deal with stress.
However, there are better ways to manage stress. To help you, here are 4 apps that can help you relax, unwind and better engage when you need to.
Don't stress, use these digital solutions to help you!
1 – Flipd
Have you ever found yourself pointlessly scrolling through Facebook or Instagram? Passive scrolling is the use of your phone to pass the time when you are bored, feeling down or trying to avoid reading your resources for COBIT 5 training.
This action can be problematic not only for your social life, but also for your health in general. Flipd is an app that can reduce the time you spend passively scrolling and becoming more bored and disengaged as a result.
It acts like a screen lock and limits the amount of time you spend on social media apps and others. Working on a timer, it locks you out of your favourite applications for a certain amount of time.
It is a handy way to unplug before bed so you can ensure a healthy night sleep.
2 – Pocket
Reading meaningful prose and thought provoking poetry can be the creative spark you need to get the juices flowing. But people can be put off by the amount of ads and attention-sucking click-bait that can be found on the internet.
With Pocket, you can save an article and then read it later – text only. This app is great for students with an essay hanging over their head, while also essential for those looking to take time out of their work to enjoy an engaging piece of writing!
3 – Breathe2Relax
Breathing is a surefire way to reduce stress and increase concentration. But why trust me?
The Harvard Medical School found that diaphragmatic breathing or deep breathing can slow a heartbeat and even lower blood pressure. However, it can be hard to know where to start.
Luckily, the National Center for Telehealth and Technology created an app that guides you through a number of breathing exercises. Additionally, you can listen to music during each session you participate in.
This stress reduction tool is also free, so it will not have your heart pumping over additional costs.
4 – Turn off notifications
Unlike the previous three segments, this is a sneaky little action I like to call turn it off!
Many people are unaware they have the power to deactivate their notifications. By disabling notifications, an individual can reduce the distractions they face on an everyday basis.
No longer will your phone buzz, ping or ring for every like, comment or share you receive due to your online existence.
With a simple swipe of your finger you can turn off the apps that have been nagging you for attention over the course of your digital life. While this may seem like a simple hack, it can have huge effects on your ability to concentrate and focus on individual tasks.
So instead of checking Instagram when it wants you too, you now have the power to schedule time in your day to check what you want, when you want.
If you would like to know more about the digital world we live in, or how you can capitalise on the growing role of technology in life, talk to the experts and contact ALC Training today.