Work-life balance: Gadgets to help manage stress
For most people, work-life balance is a myth.
Between back-to-back meetings, endless notifications, and emails that never stop, balancing work and life can feel impossible.
While technology adds to our stress, it also helps to reduce it. So, we’ve rounded up some of the best gadgets from expert recommendations to help you maintain a work-life balance.
Let’s get in!!!
Gadgets for mindful mornings
How you start your morning sets the tone for the rest of your day. Here are tools that can help you ease into your day.
Daylight simulation alarm clock
Alarms are intrusive. They make you grumpy and, most times, trigger anxiety. And since your mornings are important to your day, you have to start on a calm note.
A daylight simulation alarm clock gradually brightens your room before your wake-up time, mimicking a natural sunrise. This gives you a beautiful and less stressed start to the day.
Barbara Robinson, Marketing Manager at WeatherSolve Structures Inc, swears by hers:
" It sounds gimmicky until you stop waking up with adrenaline spikes from alarms. My mornings feel 70% calmer, and I do not slam coffee before 9:00 AM anymore. I’ve used it for over 180 mornings now. On days I skip it while traveling, I notice the difference—my body feels out of rhythm."
Instead of waking up feeling startled, your body slowly adjusts to the light, making it easier to get out of bed naturally.
Wireless light therapy visor
If you struggle with feeling sluggish in the morning, a wireless light therapy visor might help.
This device emits a soft blue light that mimics natural daylight, which can help regulate your mood and energy levels, especially if you don’t get much sunlight.
Benjamin Tom, editor and marketer at Electricity Monster, who started using one, noticed a big change:
“Time used to feel rushed and heavy. Now, it feels oddly meditative. It helps regulate my circadian rhythm and keeps me from crashing at 3:00 PM. I tracked my mood and energy for two months before and after—productivity jumped 18%.”
Smart mug
Ever make a cup of tea or coffee, get caught up in work, and come back to find it cold?
A smart mug keeps your drink at the perfect temperature so you can actually enjoy it instead of chugging it before it gets cold.
Jehann Biggs, President and Owner of In2Green loves hers for a surprising reason:
"It's not just a small luxury; it serves as a gentle reminder to take a pause and enjoy the moment. I find that focusing on a simple ritual like sipping my tea, with no rush, allows me to reset my mind and lower stress levels."
It is “just a mug,” but it has a big impact. It helps you slow down and take a moment for yourself.
Gadgets that keep you focused
Between social media, notifications, and background noise, staying focused is harder than ever. These gadgets help you cut through the noise:
Noise-cancelling headphones
When you need to concentrate, the last thing you want is background noise, loud music, or the sound of someone typing aggressively on their keyboard.
Noise-cancelling headphones create a quiet bubble, helping you stay focused for longer.
Balázs Keszthely, Founder & CEO, TechnoLynxi, who works in a busy office, relies on his headphones to stay productive:
"They allow me to create a personal workspace amidst distractions, significantly enhancing my productivity and reducing stress"
Sometimes, silence is the best productivity tool.
Digital note-taking apps
Trying to remember everything in your head is exhausting. A good digital note-taking app helps you offload thoughts, organize ideas, and keep track of tasks so you don’t have to rely on memory alone.
Sean Clancy, Managing Director of SEO Gold Coast, explains why this is a need:
"Whether it's a grocery list or a random thought, having a space where I can unload my mind allows me to focus better when I return to work. This helps reduce mental clutter and improves my work-life balance.”
By clearing mental clutter, you create space to focus on what matters.
Desktop hourglass
There are times when you get so caught up in work that you forget to take breaks. A desktop hourglass serves as a visual reminder to pace yourself. Whether it’s a 25-minute work session or a 5-minute break, flipping the hourglass helps keep your day balanced.
Sean Clancy uses one at his desk:
"Watching the sand slip through gives me a visual cue to pace myself, helping me stay on track without feeling overwhelmed by the tasks at hand."
Fitness gadgets that keep stress in check
Sometimes, the gym might seem too far. Ye,t work-life balance requires that you are fit. This is where fitness gadgets come in. Some of them include:
Fitness trackers
Sometimes, you get so lost in work that you forget to move for the whole day. While it’s something some people brag about, it is not a bragging right to stay immobile for hours.
So how do yo ensure to move even when you are swamped with a lot of work? That’s where a fitness tracker comes in.
Fitness trackers like Fitbit or Apple Watch not only count your steps but they also remind you to move, track your heart rate, and even encourage you to take deep breaths when stress levels rise.
Gerti Mema, Marketing Manager at Equipment Finance Canada, who swears by her tracker, says:
“It helps me stay on top of my physical activity, especially during busy days when I can get glued to my desk. The reminders to move around or take a quick break have been helpful for me to spend some time in even short movements throughout the day..”
Balázs Keszthelyi agrees, adding that regular movement isn’t just good for physical health; it also helps with focus and mental clarity. A simple stretch or short walk can reset your energy before your next task.
Smart plant pots
Taking care of a plant might not seem like a stress-relief strategy, but it works. Having something green in your workspace not only improves air quality but also gives you a natural reason to take short breaks.
Sean Clancy found that his smart plant pot does more than just remind him to water his plants.
“This might sound odd, but taking care of something living and seeing it thrive offers a small, yet meaningful way to disconnect from work and focus on something outside of my tasks. It’s a constant reminder to step away from the screen and recharge.”
Plus, something is rewarding about seeing a plant thrive, it’s a little win that doesn’t require much effort.
Standing desks and ergonomic chairs
If you spend hours working at a desk, investing in an ergonomic setup is one of the best things you can do for yourself.
Balázs Keszthelyi shares how switching to a standing desk and a proper chair made a huge difference:
“ Investing in ergonomic gadgets has made a substantial difference in my work-life balance. I alternate between sitting and standing every hour, which keeps my energy levels up.”
An ergonomic chair and standing desk combo works:
- Standing desks help reduce the health risks of sitting too much.
- Ergonomic chairs support your posture and reduce back pain.
- Footrests, wrist supports, and monitor stands can further improve comfort.
If you’re working long hours, don’t just power through discomfort; you have to fix it.
Relaxation and stress-relief tools
Working is stressful, and living can be hectic, too. You need easy ways to relax and manage the stress that comes with both. Here are some tools that can help:
Portable aroma diffuser
If you walk into a spa, you are most likely to feel relaxed immediately. That’s because scents can influence mood. A portable aroma diffuser brings that same effect to your workspace.
Caleb John, Director of Sales and Marketing at Exceed Plumbing and Air Con says
“I use a portable aroma diffuser that runs on a USB battery pack. I load it with eucalyptus oil and peppermint—two drops each. Within five minutes, the cab smells like a spa. That combo hits like a mental reset. Seriously, it beats energy drinks or loud music when I’m drained from calls or traffic. Since adding it, I fall asleep 20 minutes faster and feel less wired after long days.
Certain scents, like lavender, citrus, and peppermint, can help with stress and concentration. A portable diffuser makes it easy to get a quick mood boost, whether you’re at your desk or in your car.
Ambient lighting system
Lighting plays a big role in how we feel. Harsh, bright lights can keep you wired, while softer lighting can help signal to your brain that it’s time to wind down.
Jehann Biggs uses an ambient lighting system to create a relaxing environment after work.
“ It helps me transition from focused work mode to relaxation mode without feeling abrupt. The soft lighting also aids in creating a calm environment, which encourages my mind to slow down, especially in the evenings..”
Many smart lighting systems, like Philips Hue or Govee LED strips, can be adjusted to match your mood or schedule. You can go from “productive office” to “cozy unwind mode” with just a tap on your phone.
Tools that simplify work
When you feel like there is too much to do and not enough time, here are some tools designed to organize your workload.
Time management apps
When we talk about time management we most times think of it from the angle of getting things done. But it’s also about making sure you don’t burn out while doing them.
Apps like Toggl, Clockify, and RescueTime help you track how you’re spending your time, while Google Calendar helps structure your day efficiently.
With time management apps, you can:
- Prioritize tasks so you’re not stuck on low-impact work.
- Set reminders for deep work sessions and break times.
- Track your time to see where it’s actually going.
And the best part? Many of these apps integrate with work tools like Slack, Asana, or Google Calendar, so you don’t have to juggle multiple platforms.
Collaboration tools
If you are tired of long email threads, collaboration tools like Slack, Trello, and Asana simplify communication, keeping everything in one place.
Balázs Keszthelyi explains why his team moved away from traditional emails:
“Tools like Slack and Trello have transformed the way my team communicates and collaborates. By streamlining communication, we reduce the stress associated with email overload.”
Tools like Slack replace long email trails with quick communication, and with Trello, you can track projects while also assigning tasks to team members.
Hydration tracking apps
You know how we always hear “Drink more water”? Well, there’s a reason for it. Dehydration can lead to fatigue, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Exactly the kinds of things that make work feel exhausting.
That’s why hydration tracking apps like Plant Nanny, Hydro Coach, and WaterMinder exist to make sure you’re drinking enough throughout the day.
With hydration apps, you can:
- Set reminders to drink water throughout the day.
- Track your intake to make sure you’re not under-hydrating.
- Sync with fitness apps to adjust hydration goals based on activity level.
It’s a simple fix, but it makes a huge difference in focus and energy levels.
The big picture
Beyond individual tools, work-life balance isn’t just a personal effort, it’s something companies have to actively support.
Companies that invest in a culture of balance tend to see happier, healthier, and more productive employees.
Here’s how some organizations are making it happen:
Making breaks a priority
One of the biggest challenges in the workplace is encouraging people to actually take breaks. Some companies are solving this by making structured breaks a part of their culture.
Garrett Yamasaki introduced “Doodle Hour” at WeLoveDoodles, a daily, non-work bonding session.
“Instead of squeezing in breaks when we ‘find time,’ we have a dedicated hour where we just relax, doodle, and chat about anything but work..”
Structured breaks give employees permission to pause without guilt and boost creativity by stepping away from intense focus.
Even if your workplace doesn’t have a formal initiative, set up a daily “away-from-desk” ritual. It could be a walk, a coffee break, or a quick chat can help reset your brain.
Strict work-personal time boundaries
One of the biggest causes of work stress is never fully “clocking out.” If your job expects you to answer emails or Slack messages at all hours, it’s hard to ever truly relax.
Gerti Mema set a firm boundary:
“I also try to keep work from creeping into my personal time. I no longer check work emails after hours. My evenings are reserved for unwinding with a good book or cooking a new recipe. These little rituals help me reset and keep my stress in check, making sure I stay balanced both in and out of the office.”
Setting work boundaries will help improve your sleep, reduce stress and anxiety and increase your productivity.
Final thoughts
You can’t squeeze more time into your day, so work-life balance ensures the time you do spend working (and the time you spend resting) serves you.
From mindful morning gadgets to focus-boosting tools, fitness trackers, and stress-relief devices, the right technology can make a huge difference in how you manage your energy and mental space.
But beyond the gadgets, it’s also about setting boundaries, prioritizing well-being, and making small adjustments that add up over time.
At the end of the day, balance looks different for everyone. So you need to find what works for you and commit to it.
What’s one small change you can make this week?