stress Archives

6 ways tech can solve life's little annoyances

Minor tech annoyances can seem small at the moment. But in the grand scheme of things, they can cause stress and wasted time. If you don’t want tech issues to have a significant impact, cut them off with these tech life hacks.

They can even help you when you’re away from your computer. Read on for a few easy ways to make your life easier.

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1. Stop missing important emails

Most email providers let you turn on alerts. This way, you know immediately whenever an email comes in. You may read this and think, “I get too many emails. If I turned on alerts, my phone would constantly blow up!”

Hold on a second. You can turn on alerts for specific email addresses. This way, you’ll never miss an email from an important contact.

Using Gmail as an example, here’s how to use this feature:

Follow these steps on your iPhone, iPad or Android:

First, open the Gmail app.
Tap Menu > Settings.
Select your account.
Then, tap Email notifications > High priority only.

2. Stop forgetting what you need at the store

Always forgetting that one thing at the store? Have your phone remind you to pick it up when you walk through the door. Make a shopping list in the notes section of the Reminders app on your iPhone. Here’s how:

For iPhone:

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Tech how-to: Set up multiple desktops to keep work and home separate

Multitasking can feel overwhelming when working from home. You’ve got work and personal tabs open at once, not to mention all the new work-related programs you must use. Worse still is if you share a computer with family. But you can separate work-from-home programs by using multiple desktops.

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🧘 It’s National Stress Awareness Day

A walk outside (with my funny podcast!) goes a long way. Need more? All these finds are under $20.

Clip a page-turner onto your Kindle so you can stay comfy in bed while you get through that cozy mystery.
Put a USB-powered travel diffuser in your car, breathe in the essential oils, and don’t flip off that truck that just cut you off.
Spray this aromatherapy mist on your pillow before bedtime for max relaxation mode. Bonus: Spritz the whole house and make everyone else relax, too.
Give your room a warm glow with a dimmable Himalayan salt lamp (10% off). There’s a reason these things are always in yoga studios.
These aromatherapy steamers make showers even more relaxing. As they dissolve, they release the smell of eucalyptus and menthol.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

🏠 Real estate therapy: Browsing Zillow is the new way to manage stress (paywall link). Some folks look at homes within their budget, imagining what could be. Others browse properties worse than their current digs to feel grateful. I have my old homes and rentals saved so I get alerts when they change hands. It’s fun to track!

Your boss('s robot) is watching

Companies using tech to keep an eye on employees is nothing new. But the spyware that tallies productivity and ensures you’re logged in on time is so last decade. We’re living in an AI world, folks.

Let’s look at what might be taking a close look at you or someone you know who’s working remotely.

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Agree or disagree? Researchers say this is the most stressful time of day

Did you know that the time of day may impact how you’re feeling? It sounds crazy, but the effect is so real that it’s been shown to impact school performance in children.

Read on to find out what one team of researchers in the U.K. has learned about the most stressful time of day.

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Hurry! Valentine’s (or anytime) picks

The cutest bookmarks for the kid or adult reader in your life.
You’ve seen stress balls, but what about a stress potato? Sure to get a laugh!
Winter does a number on our skin. No more dry lips with this favorite overnight lip mask.
When the way to their heart is through their dog, give ‘em a pet cam!
Forget Scrabble. This game will bring you closer.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

☄️ That was close: A Florida family is suing NASA after a chunk of metallic space debris crashed through their roof. No one was hurt, but the family’s 19-year-old son was just rooms away from the impact zone. They want a payout for the stress and impact (no pun intended).

Moved lately? U-Haul breach leaks 2.2M driver's license numbers

Moving all your possessions into another home is one of the most stressful things you can do. Packing up, ensuring that nothing breaks during transit and unpacking on the other side should be your only worries.

Unfortunately, your stress could increase if you have used U-Haul recently. A data breach has left the company scrambling to contain the fallout, and hackers might have your details. Tap or click here for five apps to make managing stress and anxiety easier right now.

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Travel pro tip: How to skip the line at the airport for free

When it comes to travel, there’s a lot to stress about. First, you have to make sure you pack everything. Next, you always have to brace yourself for last-minute cancellations, storms and other curveballs.

Thanks to the lingering effects of the pandemic, travel can feel more chaotic than ever before. Tap or click here for eight ways to stay safe while traveling. Plan ahead to survive the swarm of travelers trying to cure their pent-up wanderlust.

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Headed back to the office? Best way to keep an eye on your home from anywhere

You know the stress of being a parent. When the kids were young, you jumped at every sneeze, cough and wobbly step.

Now that they’re young adults or teenagers, there are different stresses. Are they driving while distracted by texts and social media messages? At home, are they safe? Are they being responsible for getting home on time from school, not raiding your liquor cabinet and staying out of trouble?

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The internet is buzzing about 'murder hornets' - what you need to know

Our civilization went into the year 2020 thinking we’d be able to see our way through the new decade clearly. Now, most people can’t wait for 2020 to be hindsight.

Within the span of a few short months, war nearly broke out with Iran, the Pentagon officially declassified UFO footage and a global pandemic shut down nearly all aspects of our normal lives. It’s no wonder so many of us are sick to our stomachs with anxiety. Tap or click here to see 5 apps that can help you cope with stress.

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5 apps to make managing stress and anxiety easier right now

Ever find yourself down in the dumps? You’re not alone. An estimated 350 million people worldwide experience depression, while anxiety affects more than 280 million people across the globe. And that’s when things are status quo.

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Is it OK to leave your computer on 24/7?

If you’re like any typical computer user you may ask yourself, “Is it safer to keep my computer on all day or should I turn it off?” At first thought, turning it off seems to conserve the most energy and preserve your computer’s lifespan. However, there are many factors to consider when it comes to leaving it on or turning it off. Let’s take a look at what’s best for your machine.

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