Gadgets and apps to beat the stress at workplace

Quick breaks throughout the day can work wonders for your productivity and well being. ET suggests a few apps and gadgets that will help you get started:

Gadgets

USB Stress Button for Rs 499

Hook this colourful USB gadget up to your computer – it offers three different types of stress relief: an atomic bomb explosion with a countdown, a fake worksheet and a boss-beating animation. Anytime you feel stress taking over your day, mash the button with your fist. It’s cathartic!

Osim uPapa Hug IV for Rs 10,500

Specially designed for those hard-toreach places on your neck and back, Osim’s uPapa Hug IV has 15 different massage programmes and powerful drum massagers that deliver an intense, therapeutic massage. You can use it while seated on your chair and since it’s hands-free, you can continue to work.

Milagrow Wheeme Massaging Robot for Rs 6990

This automated battery-powered massaging robot from Milagrow is completely autonomous – just place it on your stomach or back and it will move around on its own, stopping when it reaches the edge of your body. The built-in sensors help it navigate while the vibrating action provides a gentle massage.

Osim uMoments for Rs 4,200

Osim’s uMoment is a portable sleep and relaxation therapy aid – it can be powered using the supplied adapter or four AA batteries. There are 12 different sound programmes (ocean surf, white noise, rain, summer night etc) built in which can help you relax, meditate or sleep. It even has a built-in timer.

On Your PC

Calm.com

Turn off your phone, keep your PC speakers on at a comfortable level or wear headphones and open your browser to Calm.com for some quick, guided relaxation therapy. Choose between the different animated scenes and a 2, 10 or 20-minute break while sitting at your desk – it really works.

Using your smartphone

Sound Massage: Android

Sound Massage does nothing except play a continuous loop of your selected sound. You need to use headphones for the best experience. The free, ad-supported version includes 13 different calming sounds – you can upgrade for only `50 to get an additional 42 sounds.

Naturespace: iOS & Android

This app couldn’t be simpler – six different sounds (songbirds, mountain valley, shoreline, river, lake and rain) are pre-loaded with the app – just tap any of them to start or stop playing. The sound continues even when the device goes into sleep mode, so you have to stop it manually.

RelaxBook Nature: Blackberry 10

Wear headphones, set a timer in five-minute intervals and choose one of the 10 preloaded sounds (or go with random selection) to enjoy a peaceful break from work on your BlackBerry 10 device. The only issue is that with the current version, you have to keep the device awake for the sound to continue.

Kick the boss: iOS & Android

This is one of the most popular stress relief apps around and not without reason – it combines an addictive gaming element with therapeutic, boss-beating action. All you have to do is use one of the many different weapons and beat the on-screen boss silly.