Embracing the Stress

To make stress work for you, you must first understand the underlying biochemistry. The reason that humans experience stress is that it is supposed to be a motivating factor for us to change things so that the stress is decreased. More importantly, dopamine has been shown to have the added effect of inducing motivation. Once you actually reach your objectives, your body gives you a generous boost of dopamine so you feel accomplished, rewarded and just plain good. The best way to tap into that feel good sensation is to create a list of small goals that are very achievable so you will be even more motivated once you start knocking the things off the list. Another way to make stress work for is to change your relationship with it. You need to see it in a positive light rather than some horrible thing to avoid. Stress can also creep up when you have so much to do that you become paralyzed by what to tackle first. In that situation, try prioritizing your workload based on how much creativity is required for each task, starting with the most mindless activities. These could be anything from completing administrative duties to answering internet phone calls. Save those creative juices for the software development.

Clothes Turned Into Computers

Much like the screens on mobile phones, these fabrics could register the user’s touch and transmit information elsewhere, like to a smartphone or tablet computer. They are made from conductive yarns that come in a rainbow of colors and can withstand the clothing manufacturing process, so “can be woven into textiles on the same looms that are used to make traditional fabrics,” according to a Google news release. Google also announced a new partnership with Levi Strauss in which the companies would try to make interactive garments that would allow people to do things like send someone a text message by swiping their jacket cuff. How do you feel about being able to use your clothes as part of a mobile application? What about the risk of others hacking sensors on the clothes? With the internet of things, the security needs to be that much better.

Take Time Without Screens

I have a challenge for you. Take several hours (waking) of each day and do something without a screen. It might serve as a healthy reminder of just how tethered you are to your screens. It will also set a wonderful example for the children in your life. One of the things that you can do is take time to eat together without any phones at all. Sounds simple enough but too many times I see people that are supposed to be eating together engrossed in their smartphones and communication services. Another thing that you can try is to play a board game. Seriously. When was the last time you tried that instead of Words With Friends? You should also try making art, any art. Creating something will actually get those happy chemicals flowing and if might help you in your career as well. If you are really stuck on what to make, try one of those zen coloring books. Lastly, take a hike somewhere and enjoy the fresh air. Really appreciate the smells and sounds. Stop and smell the roses.

Lighting and Your Mood

If you're feeling sleepy or irritable, or suffering from headaches during the workday, there may be a reason you haven't considered--your lighting. We tend not to think about the lighting too much as long as we can see alright. Since we spend a good part of our under those light pounding away on the computer working on the latest web application project, it might be worth a look. First of all, it is interesting to note that most work places have levels of lighting that are way higher than OSHA recommendations. More light does always mean better and clearer vision. So turn it down a bit. Blue light occurs in nature and boosts attention and mood during the morning and early afternoon. The only problem is that when we work past sunset and continue to be bombarded with blue light because too much of it disrupts sleep cycles. To solve this problem, look for lighting options with less blue light. Finally, use natural light as much as possible. It will help with eye strain and you might even save on the electric bill.

Streamlining Life

While you were very busy running the show at your business, there were chores piling up and other things that needed to get done. At the office, you are already using cloud services and internet phone systems but there are other things at home that could be streamlined to be more productive. First of all you need to see your time as translatable into money. Then based on that decision, see if you can actually hire someone to do it cheaper that what you make in that time. One of the things that you can start with is the laundry and dry cleaning. There is a company that will pick up and drop off your laundry for you so you can go to those meetings looking your best. Nothing says stress like a trip to the grocery story. The parking lot is littered with carts and slow moving meanderers and those screaming bratty kids. There are actually several companies that will deliver the food for you right to your door. Lastly, it is also important that you plan your weekend to get the most out of your relaxation time.

Be Happy Through Gratitude

With the World Happiness Report coming out recently, there has been more attention on being happy and how to get there. One of the main ways to be happier is to practice gratitude. You might be thinking, well where do I start? You could start keeping a gratitude journal. The key here is to document people you are grateful for. Think about what life would be like without them and how they have touched your life. You can even do it only once a week and still experience all the positive effects. Another thing that you can do to chase away stress is to take less than a minute to smile, say thank you, and set an intension for the day. Even if you do not feel like smiling, do it anyway because research has shown that it can actually help release feel good molecules. Say thank you to someone that has helped you in some way today, whether it was just a listening ear or some help on that web development project. So here is to being more grateful for what we have and striving to make the world a better place.

A Watch in Reverse

The concept of a watch can be interesting once the restriction of going forward is abandoned. With the Apple watch due to launch pretty soon, there are a number of mobile application developers that are switching gears and making apps for the watch and its smaller screen. One of the most interesting concepts is the app that counts down how much time you have left to live. The idea comes for the fact that many people have a tendency to discount the future in favor of the present. For example, they will say, I am going to the gym tomorrow but today I am going to have that last cigarette. With the Life Clock, you would be able to add time based on good habits and subtract time based on bad ones. Of course, you might be thinking that it will only make people think about the future and forget to live in the present. I think it could work in both directions simultaneously. You will be constantly reminded of just how much time you have left so that you do not take the present for granted and at the same time be motivated to do more to extend that time by picking up healthier habits. How do you feel about time and watches?