We are on our laptops, our computers, our smartphones or tablets for a substantial amount of time every day. It is an easy way to pass the time while waiting for appointments, killing time on the bus or checking up on what the rest of the world is up to over lunch.
As nifty and convenient our devices are, there is that constant threat of digital addiction. We have all had experiences when we have been scrolling through social media on our computers, realized we are bored and then picked up our phone and gotten straight back to social media. It is a danger; we are becoming so dependent on our devices as a safety net that even an hour away can bring about anxiety.
But as many problems as there are, our electronics can also provide a lot of help as well. We can use our laptops for work whether it be at home or in an office. We can use our phones to take pictures of our travels. It has streamlined our packing habits. Where we once needed camera, phone, notepads and calculators (okay maybe not calculators), we now have all of this within one small piece of technology.
Taking advantage of the applications and programs available for us can improve our productivity, our relaxation habits and more. Here are some of the essential additions you can download and install on your devices.
WORKING
It is the dream of many to be able to work from home, and the world we live in now has made it more possible than ever. Those who work from home are afforded the freedom of answering to no one but themselves (mostly) and makes getting up on those cold mornings all the more easier.
Demonstrating excellent time management is a must for anyone who works from a home office. But if you aren’t great at adequately organizing your time to get your work done, then consider downloading scheduling software, such as Sling, which will do all the work for you, and let you worry about other, more pressing matters in your business.
Furthermore, programs such as Sling allow you more streamlined communication between employees. This is especially useful if you are working away from the office, as it can often prove a challenge to get in touch with coworkers and employees that can easily just ignore an email.
RELAXATION
As much as having useful applications on your devices to benefit your professional life, you need to make the most of your relaxation time, also. While the last thing you want to do after a long day in front of your computer is to continue to stare at your screen, there is always something available for everyone to unwind at the end of the day.
Programs, such as Steam or Origin can appeal to the gamers among us, where you can find the newest games to download either for a price or for free – and Steam, in particular, loves rewarding its customers with sales sporadically throughout the year.
If you’re not all that into gaming culture, music applications are another way to relax after a hard day, and with vast libraries available, you can find a playlist for any mood. There is literally an app for everything, no matter what your passion might be: exercise, yoga, artistic endeavors, and more will give you something to play about with at the end of the day.
Furthermore, if you just want to sit on your couch and read or watch TV or just do nothing, finding platforms that have many different sounds of nature that can help with relaxation at the end of a stressful day.
HEALTH
Typically, we have considered our health to be something to do with how we feel doing exercise or how we look. But with the rise of the technological age, our mental health must also be taken into consideration.
People have experienced cyber bullying, stress, anxiety and depression as a result of humanity’s growing reliance on technology. Thankfully, there are platforms available to guide you through and offer support during these hard times. If you are unable to afford a therapist, but still suffer from mental health issues, you can download one of the many services available to assist in your fight for a healthier state of mind.
Now, more than ever, we need to understand the effect that technology has on our mental well being. Applications include platforms where you can participate in anonymous chats, similar to WhatsApp, where you can discuss your problems with anyone who wants to help and listen. Or, you can go one step further and seek out e-therapy where trained mental health professionals will provide support and make it more convenient to vent your issues without having to run to the other side of town for an appointment.
SLEEP
We are probably on our devices a lot more than necessary, and while they are useful in avoiding conversation with strangers on the bus, our gadgets can hurt our sleep patterns. Every single person you know has probably laid in bed telling themselves they will play one more game, or read one more article and suddenly it is far past bedtime.
App developers and sleep experts have recognized this problem and have begun taking steps to rectify it. While you can’t force anyone to get off their phone and go to bed – they can make their own decisions after all – you can recommend that will make the end-of-the-day wind down that much easier.
It is believed that you should not interact with your technology at least an hour before going to bed as it can affect your brain’s natural shutting off routine and leave you tossing and turning, unable to find comfort in any position.
Computer programs, such as f.lux, that adjust the colour of your screen as the day progresses and night falls make the LED display easier on your eyes and makes switching off much more comfortable and natural. Furthermore, you can download sleep tracking apps for your smartphone that will show you how well you slept and give advice on how to better improve your night’s sleep to wake up feeling refreshed and productive.
EVERYTHING ELSE
There is such a myriad of fantastic and useful apps and programs on the market that it would take all day to list them all. Some honorable mentions include parental control apps to decide what you will let your child see online, without becoming too much like the Arkangel episode of Black Mirror.
There are also programmes that will monitor your computer’s performance and alert you if it feels overworked and overheated and advise on what to do to fix any problems. Furthermore, security programmes are, of course, a must for anyone who spends substantial time online, and can mean the difference between a happy, productive computer and a virus-filled hunk of junk. Follow this link for more information.
You will find an excess of social media posts about what are the essential apps and programs to have on any computer. But there is no point in filling your disk space with a bunch of programs that you either don’t need or will never use.
Before deciding which is the best download for you, consider what you use your laptop or computer or smartphone for, what you already have (i.e., bloatware), and whether or not you need to add yet another program.
If your focus is productivity, search for apps that will assist with being productive. If you love music or gaming, then finding the best programs to unleash your imagination is the way forward. Above all, though, be vigilant with what you download. If it seems too good to be true, well, you know the rest.
