Guest Post – Derek Whitney, Technology That Can Help You Live A Better Life

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cellphoneTaking care of yourself is tough in a busy and sleepless digital world. Especially if you have a desk job, it can seem that technology conspires to keep you tired and sedentary. The solution is to find consumer technology that helps you live a healthier life while having fun. Consider how these products can improve wellness.

Get your beauty sleep

Too often, busy people treat sleep as a luxury to indulge in once everything else is finished. Further, research shows that long hours at a computer screen can interfere with falling asleep. Powering down an hour before bed only helps if you actually go to bed at a reasonable time and get the number of hours you need. Keep your sleep schedule on track with SleepBot, a free app for Android. Tell SleepBot when you turn in and when you wake up. The app will automatically silence your phone so an incoming text doesn’t awaken you. The SleepBot Web site lets you analyze your sleep habits, make updates and share your results. You may be surprised at how a little feedback can help improve sleep quality. Using SleepBot trains you to take your sleep seriously so you get the most out of every day.

Train with a tech buddy

Exercise is more fun when you work out with a buddy.

Exercise is more fun when you work out with a buddy. Now you can wear a personal trainer on your wrist to help motivate you even on cold mornings. The Nike+ FuelBand is a bracelet accelerometer that tracks your movements, counts calories and monitors your time against a daily goal. FuelBand uses Bluetooth pairing with an iOS device or connects to a computer via USB. When you reach your goal, the band’s LED lights turn green. The app is versatile enough to track a variety of activities so that you can use it whether dancing or playing ball. For even more support, you can share results with friends. The FuelBand retails for $149 and works with downloadable software.

Enjoy a healthy environment

Wellness also depends on a healthy environment. Being a digital consumer lowers the carbon footprint and reduces use of potentially toxic or allergenic materials. Smartphones and tablets deliver media in a format that saves paper, ink and plastic. They also consolidate functions so that you can own less stuff while enjoying more features. A smartphone can manage your calendar, play music and video, and take great pictures. Not so long ago, you might have carried a planner, camera and iPod. Fewer gadgets mean less consumption, which is good for the psyche and the planet. Today’s digital devices are also highly customizable with hundreds of options and apps that let you design your own experience. You save money and time and use only what you need. This translates to a higher daily quality of life.

Whether you love tech gadgets or would rather garden, consumer technology has tools than can help you live better. Find a few that help you get back to healthy basics and maximize each day.

– Derek is an active blogger for IBDNA, a uk dna testing company. He blogs regularly about Men’s health, science, and healthy living.