You’ve probably heard a lot about the dangers of technology and how it can take over your life and make you feel isolated. While it’s important to take some time to step back and consider how much time you’re spending on your devices, and what effect they’re having on you, there is so much more to tech than that. That’s why we’re here to share with you our top tips for getting the most out of your tech gadgets. If you’re looking for some inspiration on how to use your tech more, or an excuse to finally start using that camera app on your smartphone, keep reading to learn more about these tricks.
Make your workspace a sensory deprivation tank
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut when it comes to your workspace. You might use the same colour scheme and furniture in your house, or keep a workspace that’s barely changed since the 90s. If you’ve been looking at doing something to your workspace but you just don’t know where to start, you can always try adding a sensory deprivation tank. This is essentially a room with no windows, no door, and no furniture — just walls and a ceiling. You can add in a few speakers to create the illusion of a space, and having nothing to distract you (apart from the sounds) can help you get into the right mindset.
If you have a spare room or an office space that you don’t use, you can also try creating a sensory deprivation tank. This can help you shift your mindset from being so focused on your daily grind that you’re ignoring the positive parts of your life. It can be especially helpful if you’re going through a rough patch in your life, and you need to get back to the basics and remember what’s important to you.
Turn off notifications
We’re constantly receiving notifications and messages from our friends, family, and colleagues. While these can sometimes be useful, if you’re receiving a notification about every tiny thing that happens in someone’s life, you’re going to lose track of what’s important. Turn off notifications and focus on what’s happening right now. You might also want to consider setting up a specific email or Slack channel that you go to when you receive a notification, so you can move quickly back to what you were doing without getting distracted.
Turn off the television
There are so many more productive things you can be doing than watching television. You might be thinking that you need to start watching television to be more productive, but you’re wrong. The problem with watching television is that it’s a continuous stream of stimulation, and it’s almost impossible to turn off. Since your brain gets so much stimulation from watching television, you’re going to end up feeling bored, and your brain will be screaming for stimulation. Instead of trying to watch a show that you’re already bored with, try switching to something else. Open up a book, put on a podcast, work on a project you’ve been putting off. Anything other than sitting still and letting your brain scream for stimulation.
Turn off your computer background
Bright, colourful computer backgrounds can really suck you in and make you feel like you’re working. While this is true to some extent, it’s mostly because your computer is an extremely distracting device. When you’re staring at a screen, you’re also staring at light waves that are from the computer, which makes it harder to focus. That’s why it’s so important to turn off all distractions, even the ones that don’t directly affect you. Your computer might still be in the room, but you should still be able to focus on it without getting distracted.
Computer backgrounds can also be a huge time suck, so you might want to try a different type of background, or just put something else on your computer, like a photo or poster. You can also try taking your computer somewhere else in the house — like another room — while you work.
Try a different type of keyboard
While the default keyboard on your phone or computer might seem perfectly fine to use, you might actually be doing yourself a disservice by using it. When you first plug your phone into your computer, the settings are going to detect which keyboard you’re currently using, and it’s going to associate that with your computer. Depending on what phone you have, this might be the universal keyboard, or it might be the Google keyboard. If you’re not sure whether you want or need to change your keyboard, there are some habits that can be improved by using a different keyboard: – You press the keys harder on a physical keyboard than you would on a virtual keyboard. – You end up using your pinky finger a lot more on a physical keyboard than you would on a virtual keyboard. – You tend to use your index finger a lot more on a physical keyboard than you would on a virtual keyboard. – You often end up making typos on a physical keyboard than you would on a virtual keyboard. – You might have a tendency to put several words together when you’re typing on a physical keyboard than you would on a virtual keyboard. – You might have a tendency to type faster on a physical keyboard than you would on a virtual keyboard. There are a lot of different types of keyboards available, so you might want to try a different type to see if you notice a difference. While most keyboards will come with a standard QWERTY keyboard layout, you might want to try out a different one, like a QWERTY layout with a number row on the bottom, or a Dvorak keyboard layout.
Try a different trackpad
Trackpads are a great way to navigate your computer, but they’re also extremely distracting when you use them. It’s hard to focus on something that you’re constantly moving around, so you’re going to end up getting distracted. If you have a trackpad on your computer, try switching to a button-based mouse instead of a trackpad. You can also try switching to a different mouse, or even a finger keyboard if your laptop has one.
While it might feel weird at first, you’re going to feel so much better when you’re not worrying about your mouse moving all over the place. You can also try using a mouse mat, which will help your mouse stay in one place.
Try a different type of mouse
While your computer mouse is likely to be a Logitech or Microsoft device, those aren’t the only types of mouse that are out there. There are a lot of different types of mice out there, and there’s probably one that you could use that would be better for you. If you’re using the default Microsoft or Logitech mouse, try swapping it out for a different type of mouse. There are a lot of different types of mice available, so you’re bound to find one that’s more suited to you.
Try a headset
You might be surprised by how much better your life is with a headset. While it might not seem like you’d benefit from using a headset, there are a few reasons why you might want to give it a try: – You might be on the phone so much that it’s getting on your nerves. – You might be getting audio books or podcasts so much that they’re taking up too much room on your device. – You might be getting so much audio on social media that it’s interfering with your real life, causing you to be late or miss out on important things. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the amount of audio that you’re getting on your devices, try using a headset. There are a lot