How to use technology to transition into fall

Shorter days, colder weather, and changing colors of oranges, reds, and yellows on trees remind us that Fall is drawing closer. Mother Nature’s seasonal changes combined with a mostly socially distant year make self-care even more important than usual. Keeping your living space clean and making time to unwind are vital to well-being, especially in a time of sheltering in place and social distancing.

The good news—there are simple routines and upgrades you can make to focus on improving quality of life.

Here are some tips from Neato on how to use technology to transition into Fall with well-being in mind.

• Establish a New Routine: Think about how you really want to spend your day, and see how that may shift your routine. Do you want to be done with work by a certain time, or would an extra hour for exercise be helpful? Would waking up an extra hour early or reviewing to-do lists on a Sunday evening improve your productivity? Use a smart home assistant to help establish your new routine, doing everything from scheduling wake-up alarms, telling you the news of the day, setting reminders and alarms when you need them, or playing relaxing music before you head to bed.
• Incorporate Comforting Foods: The colder and drier climate of Fall ushers in popular seasonal ingredients like pumpkin, leeks and crab apples as our bodies seek highly nutritious, warm and comforting foods and drinks. Some more exploratory recipes may incorporate spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and turmeric. This is the perfect time to break out the kitchen gadgets like the smart multi-cooker or sous vide cooker or air fryer to experiment. For easier preparation, don’t underestimate the power of convenience that a connected food scale or video recipe display bring to your cooking time.
• Clean Your Home: Taking care of yourself also means taking care of your living space. Organize your closets and pack away summer clothes and decor. Use intelligent robot vacuums, like the Neato D7, to automate cleaning. That feeling you get when you see that your carpet, hardwood floors, or tile are free of dust, pet hair, or dirt doesn’t have to be something that happens with hard work—let your vacuum clean for you while you take care of other things. A robot vacuum lets you clean smarter, not harder.
• Make Time to Wind Down: Even at home, we can feel the pressure of work or school on time we reserve for family and friends and it’s easy to suddenly find yourself overloaded. Activities like endless scrolling through social media feeds may result in more stress, and instead, you can use this time for mental break to relax and focus on yourself. There are apps and music playlists focused on meditation and relaxation that could help to clear all the buzz and help you find a more calm state of mind.
• Get Your Limbs Moving and Shaking: Sweater weather doesn’t mean exercise gets put on hold. For some, access to the gym or time outdoors with a pet can help keep activity up and bodies moving. For others, exercising indoors may be the only option. Apps, online exercise videos, and at-home workout classes from brands and social media influencers can keep you focused on fitness. Pro-tip: try connecting your smartphone or laptop to a TV for a bigger screen while working out.
• Find a New Activity or Learn a New Hobby: Take on a new activity or hobby to keep you engaged throughout the day. There are online educational platforms available so you can learn about a topic or pick up a new skill from the comfort of your home via your laptop or computer. DIY projects don’t have to be big — even something as simple as smart light bulbs or color-changing LED strips can brighten your mood.

Many people associate Spring with cleaning and decluttering, but Fall — with its changing colors and crisp air — also is a time to embrace change and new beginnings. Try these tips or use them as inspiration and share your ways of using smart technology to improve well-being.