Technology has come so far in the past decade, and there are possible applications for every aspect of life. Even with so many uses, many focus on technology as a source of entertainment. Social media, video streaming, and video games often top the list of the most popular uses for modern technology.
However, as you well know, those barely scratch the surface of tech uses. From advancing smart devices to automated services, tech is here to simplify the everyday. The more you can leverage technology to your advantage, the more you can focus on living your best life.
Life isn’t without its struggles, but who says you can’t use a few tricks to make it easier? Here are some of the ways you can use tech to enhance, and simplify, your life.
1. Embrace Personalized Healthcare
As incredible as the human body is, it’s unfortunately prone to illness and injury. Juggling doctor’s appointments, pharmacy visits, and making nutrition and exercise plans is a challenge. Taking care of yourself could essentially be a full time job. Thanks to technology, personalized healthcare makes this to-do list a little easier.
Just take a look at the growing telehealth industry. If you make an online appointment with a doctor, you can get a consultation faster. Then you can get back to your day sooner. Plus, you can also use a variety of apps to monitor your own health while you’re on the go.
Technology has perhaps had the greatest impact so far on health care. Some health tests can now be completed from the comfort of your own bedroom. Once you get the results, you may even be able to receive and fill prescriptions completely online. For example, you even get treatment for genital herpes or other STIs. Since STIs are really common, it’s a great convenience to take care of it all from home.
2. Shop Online
When someone brings up online shopping, the first thing you think of is probably e-commerce behemoth Amazon. However, there is more to online shopping than accessing every trinket and gadget imaginable from this massive company.
For starters, you probably use technology already to find and compare products before making a purchase. Checking customer reviews can make picking out the right item easy. Once you buy a device that’s a bit out of your wheelhouse, look up tutorials. The internet can assist you as you buy products online.
Technology is even making local shopping easier. Of course, you know all about grocery delivery, but the supporting tech is about to get more sophisticated. While not quite mainstream yet, automation is hitting the shelves, and making regular shopping easier than ever. Robots in development can fill grocery orders, and even make deliveries with little supervision required. Embracing this tech might free up a whole lot of your time.
3. Develop a Good Work-Life Balance
The year 2020 was hard, but it taught people a thing or two about work-life balance. For one, it taught people that finding that balance is tough when your office and home are the same place. However, that didn’t keep people from recognizing the benefits of working from home. In fact, 2020 also made many workers realize that they never want to return to the office.
Technology has made it possible for remote work to become the next big corporate trend. You’ll need to set boundaries during off-work hours, but working from home can make life simpler. For example, if you have children at home, you may not need to pay for childcare. If you have a family member that has a health problem, you won’t have to use up your sick time.
If you’re working from home now, maybe you can ask to continue remotely once the pandemic wanes. There are dozens of applications that make working from home a great long term possibility. Online conferencing and project management software make working from home a viable option. Just make sure you’ve got the bandwidth for it at home.
4. Take Advantage of Enhanced Security
More technology means more opportunities for hackers to try and steal your information, right? While that might be true, new technology is more than up to the task of protecting you. And daily life is much easier when you don’t have to constantly worry about someone stealing your personal info.
Technology such as VPNs, firewalls, and antivirus software creates a strong defense. Plus, there are a couple of other things you can do to get the most out of this enhanced security. Don’t log into your work email outside the office, and avoid public Wi-Fi.
Additionally, technology can keep you safe in the real world as well. Smart home technology has come a long way, and provides protection for you, your family, and your belongings. Look no further than the smart doorbell, alerting you to anyone’s presence at your front door. Whether there are thieves trying to steal your packages, or burglars trying to break in, tech is there to help.
5. Continue Your Education
No matter what career path you’ve taken, education is an important aspect of personal fulfillment. And no matter what job you have, additional certifications and instruction can help you achieve your career goals. Thankfully, technology has made education more available than ever.
You can get almost any degree, certification, and individual course through online programing. Whether you’d like to gain more expertise or you’re considering a new career, online classes can make change possible. Plus, many online courses offer options that allow you to work at your own pace. In-person classes don’t have that flexibility.
Additional education can give you more options and can broaden your perspective. You’ll be equipped with more knowledge and skills. In a world where career changes are increasingly common, nothing beats that. So hop online to find a class that looks good to you.
6. Get Hands-Free Assistance
This growing trend in technology has already impacted millions of consumers. Think of how commonplace Amazon’s Alexa and iPhone’s Siri are. There’s a reason so many people have added these hands-free devices to their daily lives—they make life easier.
Voice commands are quick and simple, and can trigger actions that would take much longer to do manually. For example, you can find out the forecast, set a timer, or play music without pressing a button. This may only save you a minute at a time, but those minutes add up quickly.
If you’re using your iPhone without talking to Siri, you’re missing out on a simpler life. Let hands-free devices give you directions or order you takeout. You’ll soon be hooked on the convenience of it all.
You may use technology everyday, but how much do you really take advantage of it? Is tech making your life easier, or is it just distracting you? Instead of scrolling through social media for 30 minutes, use your phone to order prescriptions or find an online class. Tech can streamline your daily schedule and free up your time. It definitely doesn’t need to be a time suck