New Year, New You, New Tech
It’s getting to be that time of the year again; New Year’s resolutions are starting to look a little, well, old. If you are normally among the 32 percent of Americans whose New Year’s resolutions fall by the wayside before February is finished, take a look at these tech integrations that may help you stay on track.
You resolved to chill out this year...
Meditation can be a great way to calm your mind, reduce stress and lower blood pressure. That being said, it can often be difficult to start. These intuitive apps will help you ease into meditation and find your inner Zen.
Headspace starts with a course to learn meditation basics in 10 minutes a day for 10 days. You can subscribe to broader programs to work on specific issues like sleep or relationships, and even connect with friends to motivate your meditation. It works to show you how everyday moments (cooking, running, commuting) can be opportunities to integrate meditation into your life.
10% happier(link is external) is the self-titled meditation app for fidgety skeptics. This app opts out of the flowery language often associated with meditation and gives you no-nonsense tips to meditate more effectively and reap the benefits.
You resolved to know more Spanish by your study abroad this summer...
Learning a new language can be fantastic for a whole host of reasons, but sometimes you don’t have the time to add a language course, or only want to brush up on something. While these apps probably wont make you fluent, you will certainly be able to hone in on that high school Spanish and ask for directions.
Busuu is a language-learning app with a twist, it features native speakers. It comes with all the normal trappings of a language app (tests, activities, vocab builders), plus interaction with a community of native speakers who will help you hone your skills.
If all of that sounds like a bit much, just download Speak & Translate(link is external). This free app will allow you to record sentences and the app will translate into the language of your choice. This is great for if you get lost, or you’re in a sticky situation with a shopkeeper.
You resolved to save money and not subsist on ramen noodles...
We all recognize that being broke is just part of the equation when you are in college. That being said, learning good money management habits early can pay off in the long run. These apps can give you a place to start.
Mint is a comprehensive money management app. It takes your budgeting excel sheet into the 21st century by connecting with your bank and credit cards and seamlessly integrating your records. It will provide you with graphs and breakdowns of your spending, as well as reminders if you are getting close to your monthly budget for meals out.
If you are terrible at saving money Acorns(link is external) may be able to help. This app links up with your debit and credit cards, rounding up all purchases to the nearest dollar amount, and depositing that into your account. Acorns then invests your money and it can grow without your intervention. This is an easy way to make small scale investing part of your routine.
You resolved to get active and lose a few pounds in the process...
The RPAC is free, but leaving your couch (or Netflix) can be hard. These options may help you stay on track even when the semester gets hectic.
Blaze, the newest addition to the Fitbit’s offerings is a mix between a fitness tracker and smart watch. It allows you to track your heart rate and workouts as well as see call/text notifications. This sleek design doesn’t scream fitness tracker and will blend into your wardrobe more seamlessly. It won’t be available until March, but you can pre-order now.(link is external)
GymPact will get you in the gym through your pocketbook. Every week you, along with a pool of other users make a monetary commitment to go to the gym ($5-50). Using location check-ins the app holds you accountable, and you get paid if you make your goal. If you slack, then its time to pay up.
We hope these tech tips can help you get your resolutions up and running again. Let us know what apps are helping you complete your resolutions in the comments below.