Estimated studying time: 7 minutes
The world has modified considerably within the final yr. This time final yr we launched into a mission to assist individuals undertake voice assistant know-how in order that they might extra simply talk with their family and friends. On the similar time, we began to study extra concerning the know-how panorama and the numerous obstacles to adoption. We then began to look at in additional element the potential inside sensible speaker know-how to reinforce their functionality. This analysis and improvement work led us to create our Kindspace voice software for Alexa.
On this journey we’ve discovered lots, however there may be at all times extra to study and so we thought it could be good to share right here a few of our discoveries and ideas. Curating for you attention-grabbing knowledge, analysis and articles on how know-how can be utilized to assist us stay our greatest lives. The extra that we’ve discovered, the extra we realise that wholesome ageing shouldn’t be about how outdated you might be however making certain that you’re supporting your physique to age effectively, it doesn’t matter what your present age is. And that what influences our well being is a really complicated combine of things, recommendation must be personalised and any interventions or “nudges” ought to be effectively timed to advertise wholesome habits. That stated, it’s by no means too late to make a change and prioritise your self-care.
The opposite actually vital statement that we’ve made is that there’s an excessive amount of info on the market and it may be troublesome to navigate, notably if you’re not assured utilizing the web. Additional to this, is that usually information is sensationalised and focuses on destructive connotations or tries to label individuals and the societal challenges we face.
We like to share the issues we discover attention-grabbing referring to know-how, wellbeing, housing and social care. During the last yr we’ve observed a very massive upsurge in articles centred round wellbeing and loneliness particularly. There are some actually worthwhile insights and concepts from internationally and we needed to ensure that these don’t get misplaced in our social media feeds. So, to any extent further, this would be the foremost place the place we’ll curate content material within the type of a weekly round-up.
On this week’s instalment I’ll present perception into:
- The superb Encourage Makaton Choir live performance.
- My prime picks from Psychological Well being Consciousness Week, together with on-line nature meditation periods, new revolutionary video content material which gives peer help and opens up the dialog about psychological well being, how monetary wellbeing impacts psychological well being and the calming impact of animals.
- The impression that our upbringing and schooling has on our longevity and the way effectively we age.
The final week was certainly a busy week with it being each Psychological Well being Consciousness Week and Scottish Studying Incapacity Week.
The Encourage Makaton Choir
I had the honour of being a part of the Encourage PTL Makaton Choir efficiency on Tuesday. This was the end result of months of observe, and it was superb to see and really feel the power from the choir who placed on a tremendous efficiency. You possibly can test it out over on the Encourage YouTube channel. I wrestle with my motor expertise generally, so difficult myself to study one thing new, so difficult myself to study one thing new has been a fantastic expertise.
Get Out in Nature
This yr’s psychological well being consciousness week has seen an explosion within the variety of occasions individuals can take part in, many delivered on-line. The theme centres across the energy that nature has to appease and heal us. I grew up subsequent to each the ocean and a stunning deciduous woodland. I’ve robust recollections of being in these areas to flee from the world round me and simply soak within the ambiance, fowl tune, rustling leaves, the swoosh of the waves and recent scent of the ocean.
I now stay fairly removed from the ocean and so was delighted when Aware Stonehaven held a web based guided meditation on the seashore as a part of their psychological well being consciousness sequence of occasions. You possibly can test it out by clicking right here.
Monetary Wellbeing
After I was rising up we didn’t have any cash, the bailiffs had been spherical steadily to stop stuff. Cash is the basis of great stress and may actually impression on bodily and psychological wellbeing. Notably right this moment, when many extra are coping with redundancy, decreased working hours, unwell well being and bereavement, I believed I’d share some helpful help hyperlinks. The primary is from Martin Lewis of the Cash Saving Professional. In case you have gotten into debt, this eBook useful resource will assist information you on easy methods to enhance your scenario. If you’re in a spot of relative monetary safety, then some recommendation from Deepak Chopra on easy methods to discover monetary wellbeing may assist. On this article he provides a easy train which you could attempt to develop into extra conscious of your emotions in the direction of cash.
Progressive Psychological Well being Assist
Staying with the theme of psychological well being there have been just a few different tales that caught my eye. We’re actually blissful to see Frog Programs funding information to assist them develop their psychological well being help platform. Frog’s mission is slightly completely different as they concentrate on lived expertise and curating and sharing video content material on particular psychological well being points. I feel this makes it very relatable to individuals when they’re working by means of their very own points and far more impactful. The educational is far more immersive and more likely to be acted upon. You possibly can learn extra about this story right here.
Remedy Pets
There may be a whole lot of analysis concerning the calming results that animals can have. Many people have gotten a brand new pet for firm during the last yr and the usage of specifically skilled remedy pets is proven to be notably useful for people who find themselves unwell, or have disabilities or who’re aged. So how about this for a narrative, “Feeling lonely in lockdown? Attempt hugging a sheep”. A farm close to Hattingen in Germany has opened its doorways for individuals to return and meet their sheep and provides them a stroke and a cuddle. This service is a stunning extension of the academic work that the farm additionally does.
Untimely Loss of life Threat Components
And at last, Thomas had the chance during the last week to be a part of a Mash-up/Design Dash with Herriot Watt College how applied sciences like robotics, synthetic intelligence, the web of issues and 5G can be utilized to help care supply and impartial dwelling. There was one presentation that actually struck me trying on the analysis into the preventable danger components related to untimely loss of life. As you may anticipate our way of life decisions and habits have a robust affect on this. However the graphic proven within the presentation confirmed that a whole lot of the problems of poor well being in later life really stem from our degree of schooling after we are younger. This must be one thing that we will do one thing about. Can we do extra to assist individuals to embrace studying for all times?
If something, this final yr has proven how vital it’s to be adaptable. Embracing change is tough and coping with destructive conditions even tougher. But when we see change as a studying alternative it might probably actually assist our mindset and permit us to thrive even in adversity. So I’d urge you all to embrace studying, nonetheless small as it is going to maintain your thoughts energetic, offer you new issues to speak about with family and friends, open up new networks and hopefully even assist you to get pleasure from just a few further years of retirement.
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