Summer is a vibe in Mzansi – but between the fun times and the deadlines, your physical and mental health can take a knock! Add end-of-year exhaustion to this unhealthy, silly season cocktail, and it can all become a bit overwhelming. Fortunately, help is at hand – literally. These mindful tech tools bring the Zen straight to your mobile device.
Samsung Galaxy Fit3
Getting enough good-quality sleep is essential to recharge your batteries – both mentally and physically. But during the silly season, it’s easy to fall into the trap of working hard, playing hard, and not taking time to rest. Use your smartwatch to track your sleep, and you’ll see which habits keep you up at night and when it’s time to say no to the jol and prioritise rest.
Daily Glimmers by Bridget McNulty
Festive can be fun, but it can also be a downer when you’re feeling lonely, burnt-out, left out, or you’re missing someone. In this book, South African author Bridget McNulty teaches you how to spot glimmers – little moments of joy that can lift your mood and help improve your mental health.
Breathwrk
Take a deep breath… This app (available in the App Store and Google Play Store) is a great example of mindful tech. Different types of breathing patterns can help calm you down, give you more energy, or help you sleep better. You get free access to some basic breathing exercises for different needs – or you can upgrade to the paid version for the full library of exercises.
Water Reminder and Waterllama
Water Reminder and Waterllama Apps
Mindful tech tools can help you stay on top of healthy habits when you’re out of routine. Let’s be honest, drinking enough water is hard over the festive season, but the heat of summer is when you need water the most! These free apps remind you to drink up and track how much you’ve consumed. They turn a chore into a fun game that makes you healthier.
A Bit of Optimism with Simon Sinek
If the doom scroll is getting you down, this insightful podcast is the antidote. Simon Sinek is a famous inspirational speaker and author, and a shameless optimist. His podcast will make you think – but in a way that leaves you feeling better afterwards. Just what you need during the silly season!
Netflix South Africa
OK, so this isn’t technically mindful tech – but it’s definitely going to give you a dopamine boost over the silly season! ICYMI Netflix South Africa launched a WhatsApp channel this year, and it’s a fun way to stay up to date with your favourite series and get inspiration on what to binge when the couch is calling.
Two Dots
Sometimes the simplest games are the most addictive. This puzzle adventure (free in the App Store and the Google Play Store) has a wholesome, old-school vibe that’s a welcome escape from the overstimulation of the silly season. Spend some time testing your brain against its challenges and you’ll see why it has more than 50 million downloads – and a spot on our mindful tech list.
The silly season can be A LOT. Remember to breathe, play, hydrate, chill, and look for the positives, and you’ll be fresh and ready to go in the New Year!
