There’s nothing like the fresh start of new year, new beginnings on January 1. It’s not just a new day; for many, it’s the symbolic opportunity to start over with New Year’s resolutions.
Unfortunately, all too often we tend to break those resolutions while we’re still wishing folks a “Happy New Year.” But that doesn’t need to be the case this year.
Thanks to technology, sticking to your New Year’s resolutions can be easier than ever. We’ve compiled this roundup of gadgets and apps that are perfect for helping you meet your goals and becoming a happier, healthier you.
Resolution: Excercise More
According to a survey from data firm Statista, the most popular resolution for a new year, new beginnings is to exercise more. After all, science shows that regular exercise has a myriad of benefits for both your body and your brain.
However, sticking to those exercise goals can often be easier said than done. How many of us have joined a gym in January only to stop going regularly by the time April rolls around?
Luckily, there are many apps and gadgets designed to make working out easier and more enjoyable. Here are some of our favorites:
1. Get Fit With the Future App
Having a personal trainer is key to reaching your fitness goals. But finding the right personal trainer can be tough—and often requires a gym membership.
The Future fitness app aims to clear these roadblocks, matching users with their own certified coach whom they can connect with in real time. You can choose a coach based on your own fitness goals and sports interests. And, you can even select coaches that are “high energy” or “laid back,” matching your own fitness personality.
Your Future coach will handcraft a fitness regimen specifically for you. And you can integrate the app with your own fitness devices. Best of all, you’ll have regular video check-ins with your Future coach to keep you accountable.
To get started, visit the Future website to enroll and meet your new coach. Then, download the app for iOS or Android.
2. Use Down Dog for Strength & Flexibility
Fitness isn’t all cardio and weightlifting. Incorporating yoga into your daily exercise can help you improve your balance, breathing, strength and flexibility—as well as countless benefits for your mental health.
But learning new yoga poses and sticking to a practice can be tricky if you don’t have the right guidance. That’s where the Down Dog app comes in handy. The app specializes in helping its users create an enjoyable, sustainable yoga practice in the comfort of their own homes.
Instead of offering users a library of pre-recorded videos, Down Dog asks you about your preferences and designs a personalized yoga session using more than 60,000 configurations. It’s virtually impossible to get bored with this app.
Down Dog also offers high-intensity interval training, barre, and prenatal yoga sessions as well. The app is available for both iOS and Android devices.
3. Track Your Progress With a Fitbit Charge 6
Whether you plan to exercise at a gym or at home, using a fitness tracker like the Fitbit Charge 6 can help you maximize your workouts. This wearable device monitors your heart rate, activity, and even sleep patterns. It also gives you key insights into your exercise effectiveness.
The Fitbit Charge 6 also:
- Provides GPS tracking for your walks and runs
- Monitors your breathing rate
- Allows contactless payments
One of the best features of the Fitbit Charge 6 is the Daily Readiness Score. Your device will let you know when your body is ready to workout, and whether you should go for a high-intensity session or something a bit more relaxing.
4. Stay Hydrated With the HidrateSpark PRO
Drinking enough water is super important when you’re working out. But when you’re in the moment, remembering to hydrate can be a challenge.
The HidrateSpark PRO smart water bottle uses its proprietary SipSense technology and app to help you remember when to hydrate and develop lasting healthy hydrating habits. Choose from several sleek designs, from rugged, backpack-ready bottles to chic tumblers with straws.
The HidrateSpark app tracks how much you’re drinking, and the bottle’s base glows when it’s time for more water, making staying hydrated a no-brainer.
5. Stay in the Groove With Powerbeats Pro
Nothing can help you power through a challenging workout like uplifting music. But finding earbuds that won’t pop out while you’re moving can be a challenge in and of itself.
Luckily, the Powerbeats Pro earbuds from Beats by Dre are specially designed to fit securely. They feature a curved earpiece that prevents them from falling off even during vigorous exercise. They also boast an extended Bluetooth range so you’ll always stay connected to the music.
In addition, these earbuds:
- Can play for 9 hours on a single charge
- Are water- and sweat-resistant
- Support spatial audio for a premium listening experience
Resolution: Get Organized
Modern life is busy and hectic, so it’s all too easy to lose sight of organization. However, there are plenty of benefits to getting organized, including an overall boost to your mental health.
So, whether your idea of organization involves keeping track of your things or planning your day, here are some apps and gadgets that can help you meet this tidiest of new year, new beginnings resolution.
1. Manage Your Time With Clockify
If time management is a struggle, consider using a handy service such as the Clockify app. This app can help boost your productivity by keeping track of your personal projects. Clockify forces you to stop multitasking, getting things done better and faster one by one.
The app can also help you battle any procrastination habits, all while improving your work-life balance.
2. Write It Down With Twos
The Twos app was designed for people who love making lists. The app can help you remember events, create to-do lists, and keep notes on important stuff.
It’s simple to use, easy to make part of your daily routine, and free. Twos is like the personal assistant you always wish you had.
3. Label It With the Brother P-touch Connected Label Maker
If your closets are in chaos, odds are you need a storage solution. But once you’ve neatly tucked everything away in bins, bags, and baskets, how do you find what you’re looking for? That’s where Brother’s P-touch Business Professional Connected Label Maker comes in handy.
Use your mobile device or PC and connect with the label maker using Bluetooth, or use the label maker’s keyboard. The P-touch label maker will quickly print and cut easy-to-read labels, making it perfect for keeping track of your stuff.
4. Find Your Things With a Tile Tracker
If you’re sick and tired of losing your keys, wallet, or any other important possession that seems to wander away, Tile trackers can be a life-changer.
Simply connect a Tile device to what you’d like to keep track of. Then, next time you’re searching for it, use the Tile app to find it.
You can also integrate Tile with your smart home system so you can ask Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to help you find whatever it is you’re looking for.
Resolution: New Year, New Beginnings & New Skills
Education shouldn’t stop as soon as you leave school. Learning new skills can make all the difference in keeping your brain healthy and active. Plus, you never know when a new hobby may become a passion or even a career. When thinking about new year, new beginnings, put learning something new at the top of your to-do list.
1. Learn a Language With Duolingo
If you want to learn a new language, from French or Spanish to Klingon, the Duolingo app is a good go-to. The app encourages you to get in the habit of learning and practicing a new language every day through its fun game-like learning platform and points-earning system.
But it’s not just fun and games: Duolingo has proven effective in helping learners of all ages boost their written and verbal language skills.
2. Level Up Your Skills With Udemy
With thousands of affordable expert-taught courses (including more than 200 industry-recognized certifications), the Udemy adult education app makes it easy to learn everything from coding and accounting to home improvement and photography.
If you’ve ever wanted to learn anything, chances are you can learn it on your own time and without breaking the bank through Udemy.
Resolution: Read More
Another super-popular resolution for a new year, new beginnings is to read more. Not only can reading help you learn important information, but it can also provide you with an unparalleled way to relax.
1. Carry Your Library Everywhere With the NOOK GlowLight 4
In the past, reading was limited to physical books. Though there’s now an endless variety of e-readers, one has remained a favorite among bookworms: the Barnes & Noble NOOK electronic reader.
The latest version, the NOOK GlowLight 4, is not just a glorified tablet. It was created for readers, not video watchers, allowing users to read easily in all lighting conditions. Plus, with 32 gigabytes of storage, you can carry your entire library around with you no problem.
2. Protect Your Vision With the Glocusent
Having suitable reading light can be critical to maintaining your visual health, as well as allowing you to read your favorite books and magazines in the dark.
If you’re in the market for a reading light, the Glocusent reading light is top-rated and is even a partner of the New York Public Library. Choose from models that clip onto your books to even an around-the-neck version that gives you hours of hands-free light.
All Set for a New Year, New Beginnings
No matter what your resolutions are this year, keep in mind one of our favorite New Year quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson, “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.”
By using the helpful apps and gadgets in this guide, you can make “new year, new beginnings” a mantra that lasts through the whole year.
