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One of the things our founder, Emma, loves the most is a good contradiction, and there are few contradictions more interesting, puzzling, and intractable than the relationship between technology and self-care. Deployed badly, tech can be harmful and even destructive to true self-care practices because it can get in the way of deep connections with others and with ourselves. Deployed well, tech can be an incredible support tool that builds connections, fosters self-knowledge, and helps us make time for what truly matters.

That’s why we’re so careful when we talk about digital minimalism and why, when we talk about reducing screentime, we focus on reducing unnecessary or unhelpful screentime, not all screentime. It’s why Emma has such a love-hate relationship with the Screentime app, which can be so helpful but doesn’t differentiate between productive and unproductive screentime.

So we thought we’d spend some time today talking a little more about the ways tech can actually be helpful to self-care. It gets a bad rap, and there are definitely some problems that need to be ironed out, but technology isn’t inherently bad and can provide a lot of benefits. We even opened a digital wellness store called Shop Myrth because we believe in many of the products we use.

Here are five of our favorite ways tech has helped us care for ourselves.

1. Reminders for self-care activities.

   If you’re the sort of person who gets easily distracted by what’s happening in your day and loses track of time, it can be hard to stick to a self-care routine. That’s where the reminder functions on your phone, watch, or computer can come in handy. Set a reminder to go off daily, weekly, or at some other regular interval to help you stay on track with your goals. Or use the notifications on your MyMoai app.

2. Mindfulness moments.

   Phones and smartwatches often have mindfulness tools built-in. Whether that’s a visualization for a breathing exercise or an app you can download with guided meditations, you can use your technology to help improve your mindfulness, so long as you’re intentional about it. One product we particularly like is the Spire stone that helps with breathing and being present.

3. E-readers for portability and minimal distraction.

   Many public libraries now have ways for patrons to check out ebooks, which means you have access to all sorts of good reading to help you learn about yourself, better understand your world, and just relax. The thing is, reading them on your phone can lead to a whole new set of problems, from blue light at bedtime to distracting pop-up notifications. Instead, try an ereader like a Kindle or a Nook. It’s a device with a single purpose, so you won’t get distracted by doing other things on it, but it’ll still let you access a world of information.

4. Smart-watches to reduce unproductive screentime.

   We’re pretty bullish about smartwatches around here. They’re a great way to stay just a bit connected, get those reminders you need (see #1), and practice mindfulness (see #2), but because of their screen size and battery limitations, it’s not so tempting to use them to browse social media or read the news for hours on end.

5. Apps to encourage connection and self-care while still being active.

   We love apps like Strava and Fitbit - and MyMoai, which help us connect with our friends and provide encouragement but also encourages us to get outside. It’s the best of both worlds and a great example of how tech can bring us together and help us get healthier.

As with anything, even these good uses can get out of hand if you let them, so it helps to always be mindful of your tech use. Do regular check-ins with yourself to make sure you’re using your tech in a way that helps you feel good, happy, and healthy.

Have you used your technology to improve your self-care routine? What are your favorite strategies? We’d love to hear from you!

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