Use technology to unwind during your vacation
Last year in July I wrote an article on how to unplug from work and how to stay away from technology to really unwind during your vacation. For some people that is exactly what they need – to stay away from technology. They prefer to go to an isolated place with no Wi-Fi, no TV, no sounds other than birdsong and the sound of the wind in the leaves in the trees. For others, technology has become such an essential part of their life, so it plays a big part even when on holiday. I have to admit that I’m in the latter category. I use technology for everything – also, to unwind during my holiday. Here are 5 ways in which I use technology during my holiday.
1. Portable Wi-Fi access with 3G/4G mobile broadband
During my holiday I travel with my family. Where we stay, we don’t have fixed Internet access. In order to always have Internet access for all the iPads, laptops, tablets and music devices we take with us we use a mobile broadband stick that we plug into a mobile 3G/4G broadband router. There are numerous products available in the market, service providers vary from country to country.
2. Movies and TV-shows with Netflix
I’ve stopped watching traditional TV altogether because when I finally have time to sit down and watch something there is nothing good on – no matter how many channels we have. Instead, I use Netflix, an online media streaming service where you can watch movies and TV shows whenever you want over the Internet. If Netflix is not available in your country you can use another provider, or you can use a VPN software (such as for example Express VPN) which enables you to simulate connecting to the Internet from various countries of your choice. We use an HDMI cable to plug the computer to our big TV in the living room so that we can sit on the sofa just like we’re used to.
3. Music for the whole family with Spotify
I love playing music, it always lifts my spirits. Using Spotify the whole family can have their own playlists with preferred 
music. At home, we have Sonos wireless speakers so that we can play music from any device in various rooms. But when we travel, we just use a little handheld speaker which is easy to pack but still provides adequate sound. Why not create a new playlist for the summer with relaxing songs that can help you unwind?
4. Audio-books for long journeys in the car
For long journeys in the car, I love listening to audio-books. I use the app Audible on my mobile phone and then I connect my phone to the stereo system in the car. This works great (whenever the kids are sleeping). I also listen to the audiobooks when I go for long walks or before I go to bed at night, which is a guaranteed way to fall asleep.
5. Track your health with apps and wristbands
For me, vacation is a time when I let go of my normal diet and just enjoy the amazing food each place we visit has to offer. Vacation is also a time to enjoy exercise, whether it is a nice swim in the ocean or a jog in the forest. It’s always more fun to exercise if you can track your progress. Today there are numerous apps you can download to your mobile to keep track of your distance, speed, and area covered. There are also numerous wristbands available in the market that tracks your activity such as Fitbit Flex, Jawbone UP and Nike Fuelband. You can synchronize the data from the wristband to your mobile and computer and see how much you’ve exercised and slept.
Enjoy your holiday!
No matter where you spend your holiday I hope you have a wonderful time and that you get a chance to unwind and relax – with or without technology!
(If you have difficulties reading this article, you can access the full article in pdf here).