Technology is stressing us out. We stare at a screen endlessly, living in the virtual realm of Facebook and Twitter, isolated from actual human contact. Not to worry: Technology is here to save the day too, reminding us to take a break and offering a digital assist as we try to channel some inner peace.
1. 20 Cubed
Price: Free
This free plug-in for the popular Google Chrome browser, which users can install from the Chrome store, is brilliantly basic. Every 20 minutes as you work, a message pops up reminding you to take a break for 20 seconds. Even so short a respite from the computer helps to relieve optical pressure in the eyes and encourages users to rejoin the real world, if only for a moment.
2. PIP Biosensor
Price: TBD
Doctors have documented many of the ways stress affects your body. For instance, the body reacts to stressful situations by sending blood to your extremities and thereby causing sweat to build up. The PIP Biosensor, currently in development and available early next year (the Kickstarter campaign just concluded successfully), can read thumb pressure and use the available biometrics to estimate your stress levels. The device connects to an iOS or Android app and will warn you when you are getting overly stressed about a game, a deadline, or a relationship.
3. LeechBlock
Price: Free
Maybe looking at Facebook pictures of other people's vacations while you're stuck in a cubicle makes you sad. Maybe browsing social media sites makes your stress levels rise because you know you should be getting work done. Whatever the reasons, researchers have found that continual use of sites like Facebook and Tumblr, especially when you are only browsing and not interacting, can lead to stress and depression.
This add-on for the Mozilla Firefox browser manages stress by blocking certain sites, hopefully making you more productive and less worried. LeechBlock lets you block sites that are too tempting for a specific time frame (say, during work hours). It also tracks the time you are using those sites when they are unblocked.
4. Jumpstart App
Price: US$1.99
Breathing exercises are a well-known stress reducer. The Jumpstart iPhone app walks you through a routine where you take deep, intense breaths alternating with periods of intense focus, and it even monitors how much caffeine you're consuming. The app also includes built-in reminders you can set so you don't forget to take that 10-minute exercise break over lunch.
5. Creative Motion White Cherry Blossom LED Tree
Price: US$40
This 17.7-inch tall LED tree (yes, you read that right) doesn't offer breathing exercises or measure your stress level. It's not even that bright: the "leaves" cast a dim glow on your desk to offset the stark brightness of your LCD display. But LED lights are known to emanate consistent and soothing light - the frequency of the bulbs is higher so they tend not to flicker as much. Plus, the tree just looks cool.
6. Crazy Aaron's Thinking Putty
Price: US$13
Available in 30 different designs and colours, this update to Silly Putty works wonders. When you stretch and pull the material, it tends to snap back into place and doesn't attract dirt or moisture. There's a diverse product offering: versions that react to magnets or heat, and wild colours like "super lava." Set one of these on your desk during the day and you can take a quick mental break.
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