The Industrial Revolution was a great time for innovation and technological advancement. But if it could be boiled down into a single invention, then the most important is arguably the steam engine. It was used anywhere and everywhere from production to transportation.
Fast forward hundreds of years later, there’s a similar age of advancement happening now. And it all could be narrowed down to the internet. If the steam engine empowered cities, factories, and trains, then the internet enables virtually everything. From work and travel to hobbies and shopping, it has changed the way people live. To put it simply, you can do basically anything with it. In fact, you can even plan every minute of your day. Here’s how:
Morning
One of the best things about modern devices is that you can customize everything. If you hate waking up in darkness, just use an app on your phone. Schedule your lights to turn on and windows to open on the same time every day. You can also do the same for your pathway lights, so that they can help with security early in the morning. If you’re one of the six Americans who drinks coffee daily, you’ll need a cup before you head out for work. But you forgot to switch the machine on and now you have to wait awhile. Thanks to high-tech coffee makers and Wi-Fi, it’s not a problem. Just open the app on your phone and program it to turn on and make you a cup at the same time daily.
Now, you’re ready to start working. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about forgetting to email your clients or your colleagues. This is because you can schedule messages in advance. Check out your calendar for any important events and start working on your drafts. This is extremely helpful if you work with people based in other countries as well. You don’t have to worry about your message being buried or being received in the middle of the night. Just pick the right time for them and you don’t have to stress about time zones anymore.
Afternoon
It’s not noon without lunch. But if you’re working from home, it can be a pain. You’re already tired from meetings and tasks. You don’t want to be burdened by cooking as well. But it’s not a problem if you have a smart oven. Pop your food inside, select a setting, and do whatever while you wait. You don’t have to worry about your meal burning because you can always track it using your phone and the oven’s internal cameras.
Remote work is supposed to be easier and more convenient. You don’t have to travel to and from the office so you can have more time for sleep. But it’s not always the case. Working from home can still be stressful. In fact, a survey has found that 51% of employees say they feel burnout from working remotely. Experts say that one of the reasons behind this is the lack of boundary between work and life. Now that there’s no physical difference in your personal and professional life, there’s a pressure at all times. Because of this, it’s best to set clear limits after you’ve clocked off. Why not start off with some relaxing music? In fact, studies have shown that music can help people feel relaxed and even change brain functioning just like medicine. You don’t even have to move from your position. Just use voice command and your smart speakers will start your playlist.
Evening
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than a third of Americans aren’t getting enough sleep. While it’s normal to get under 8 hours now and then, it becomes a problem when it happens too often. It’s worrisome because sleep deprivation affects everything. Lack of sleep can affect your mood which can cause negatively influence your personal relationships. It can also make you feel sluggish and tired, which in turn, can lower your work productivity.
If you’re having trouble sleeping, it might be because of the light. Limit your exposure to light once you’re already in bed. This means that you should avoid using your phone, laptop, or tablet. You can even use your home to aid your sleep. There are smart light bulbs that have sleep settings to help you doze off.
Home automation has many benefits. It can boost the security in your house. It can also reduce your energy costs. Of course, it can also make your life as convenient and stress-free as possible. It all depends on how you use it.
