As you know, within the “2nd Edition of SPC’s Senior Week” we have prepared many surprises, new features, and useful information about technology use and older adults. Today, we’ll share how using technological devices can help us achieve a better quality of life, both physically and emotionally.
1. Listen to podcasts on topics of interest
The rise of podcasts on the Internet has brought the possibility to listen to programs on countless different topics. Therefore, it won’t be hard to find the one that best suits each person’s tastes. You can listen to them from your smartphone or tablet, either by searching for the podcasts that interest you most online or by asking someone to download them for you. So, equip yourself with a good pair of headphones, find a relaxed environment, and unwind.
2. Reading as “emotional medicine”
Reading not only broadens our knowledge: it also strengthens our brain, like exercising a muscle. Reading is a “workout” that keeps the mind active. Following the flow of words and understanding what is being read helps improve and refine our memory capacity, as well as providing other benefits such as preventing age-related cognitive decline or reducing stress, since it is a relaxing activity. Additionally, there are now eReaders that offer great portability and simulate the ink of traditional books, so you can always have a large library at hand.
3. Exercise, move, and avoid a sedentary lifestyle
“Mens sana in corpore sano,” the ancients said. After all, physical activity generates endorphins, the neurotransmitters that help us regulate anxiety, not to mention all the benefits it produces in our body. For this, the best option is to use smartwatches capable of measuring sports performance according to the discipline you practice, but that also allow you to check your heart rate: this way, you can analyze your training and adjust it according to your level, progressively achieving your set goals.
4. Relaxing environments that promote well-being
Thanks to smart technological devices, we can recreate almost any environment. For example, through the use of smart bulbs, we can select the light color we want for each room in the house, which not only provides the best lighting for each room’s use but also allows us to adapt the light to our mood. Applying cool tones in room lighting helps disconnect from stress, for example. We can complement these techniques with aromatherapy, which uses natural plant extracts or essential oils, applied through smart aroma diffusers, to promote well-being through olfactory stimulation.
5. Stay in touch with friends and family
One of the best feelings we can all experience is feeling connected to others, feeling that distances can be shortened and that our loved ones are very close to us, even if kilometers separate us. And we can achieve this through technology. Phones and smartphones can break the space barrier. Not only can we hear someone on the other end of the line, but thanks to the web connectivity of smartphones, we can also see our loved ones. This makes us feel part of the same community and close to our loved ones; with the emotional stability that this means for people.
6. Follow current events from anywhere for an agile mind
To prevent our neurons from slowing down as the years go by, we must work and exercise the mind, memory, and our skills. For this, we can again use technological devices that help us keep our minds sharp. For example, with mobile devices like tablets, we can connect to the internet to read our trusted news sources daily and stay informed about what’s happening around us. We can also install apps with games aimed at exercising the minds of older adults, or crossword puzzles, hobbies, etc. Any hobby that helps us think and get our neurons moving will help us keep a vital and youthful attitude toward life as we age.
