Our well-being directly depends on our safety. If we feel that we are protected and that nothing threatens us, we can relax and not worry about anything. This affects our psycho-emotional state on which the level of anxiety and overall enjoyment of life depends. So what can we do to feel confident and protected? Are there universal tips that will suit everyone? Now we will find out.
Try Some Technology
The 21st century allows us to take advantage of all the achievements of science and technology. We have different phone locators that work on the basis of GPS, and much more! All these technologies help reduce anxiety levels, as they are additional means of protection. Below are the examples of such technologies and the explanation how they are implemented.
Personal Safety
Wearable Devices: Smartwatches and fitness trackers with features like heart rate monitoring, fall detection and emergency SOS.
Personal Safety Apps: Mobile applications that allow users to send emergency alerts, share locations, and access safety tips (e.g., Phone Locator).
Smart Clothing: Clothes embedded with sensors to monitor health conditions and alert emergency services if needed.
Home Safety
Smart Home Security Systems: Integrated systems with cameras, motion sensors, door/window sensors, smart locks.
Fire and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: Smart detectors that can send alerts to your phone and automatically contact emergency services.
Video Doorbells: Devices with cameras that allow homeowners to see and communicate with visitors remotely.
Workplace Safety
Industrial IoT (IIoT): Sensors and connected devices that monitor machinery and environmental conditions to prevent accidents.
Augmented Reality (AR) for Training: AR devices for employee training with real-time safety instructions and hazard identification.
Exoskeletons: Wearable robotic suits that reduce the strain on workers, that prevent injuries and improve efficiency.
Public Safety
Surveillance Drones: Drones equipped with cameras and sensors for monitoring public spaces and large gatherings.
Emergency Response Robots: Robots designed to assist in disaster response, search and rescue operations, and hazardous material handling.
Smart Traffic Management Systems: Systems that use AI to optimize traffic flow, reduce accidents, and improve emergency vehicle response times.
Cyber Safety
Antivirus and Anti-malware Software: Programs designed to detect, prevent and remove malicious software.
Firewalls: Network security systems that monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic.
Encryption: Technologies to protect data privacy and integrity during storage and transmission.
Transportation Safety
Autonomous Vehicles: Self-driving cars equipped with sensors, cameras and AI to reduce human error and enhance road safety.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS): Features of lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.
Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) Communication: Technology that enables vehicles to communicate with each other and infrastructure to prevent collisions and improve traffic flow.
These were just examples of how the modern world is making our lives increasingly safer. Often we use all these technologies without even knowing it, since they are built into the objects that surround us every day. Realizing this already reduces your stress and anxiety levels, doesn't it?
Daily Pieces of Advice
Personal Safety
Always think about your personal safety but try not to build all your life depending on it. We recommend you to be more relaxed and less worried about it. Of course, it matters but if you think about it the whole time, you will be anxious and life will not make you happy. Here are some tips for you in this regard:
Stay alert and attentive to your environment, especially in unfamiliar or potentially dangerous areas.
If something feels wrong or makes you uncomfortable, trust your gut and remove yourself from the situation.
There is safety in numbers, so try to stay with friends or groups, especially at night or in unfamiliar places.
Taking a self-defense class can equip you with skills to protect yourself in case of an attack.
Have a list of emergency contacts easily accessible in your phone and in written form.
Home and Workplace Safety
Do not forget about the space you live and work in. One of the basic needs of Maslow's pyramid is a safe environment. Accordingly, before moving towards spiritual values, you need to take care of the lowest ones - biological ones. Here is how you can do it in the modern world, when people have already moved out of the caves:
Always lock doors and windows, even when you are at home, to prevent unauthorized entry.
Have a clear plan for what to do in case of fire, natural disaster, or other emergencies, and practice it regularly.
Make sure that the exterior of your home is well-lit to deter potential intruders.
Good relationships with neighbors can help in emergencies.
Adhere to all workplace safety guidelines and procedures.
Immediately report any unsafe conditions or hazards to your supervisor or safety officer.
Regular breaks can prevent fatigue, which is a common cause of accidents and injuries.
Keep your workspace clean and free of clutter to avoid trips and falls.
Public Safety
We are social creatures anyway and it is difficult for us to live without communication and society as a whole. Therefore, it is important to adhere to some safety rules outside the home, namely:
When walking at night, stick to well-lit streets and avoid shortcuts through dark or isolated areas.
Keep your valuables secure and be aware of pickpockets, especially in crowded places.
Avoid using your phone or other distractions when walking, especially near traffic.
But you can also be in unfamiliar places, for example while traveling. So there are some additional tips for these situations:
Learn about the safety conditions and cultural norms of the place you are visiting.
Store your passport, identification, and important documents in a secure location.
Keep in touch with family or friends - let them know your itinerary and check in regularly.
Cyber Safety
In recent years, we have increasingly had to think about digital security, since our whole life is now connected to the Internet and technology. We make purchases online, transfer our personal data to services on the Internet and simply use different applications. Attackers and hackers can take advantage of all this. Here is how you can avoid this:
Create complex passwords and change them regularly.
Avoid sharing too much personal information online.
Do not open emails, attachments or links from unknown sources.
We once again want to highlight the fact that you should not constantly think about your safety. Yes, it is important, but if you build a cult around it, you can miss out on a lot of interesting things in your life due to the fear of doing something wrong. The most important advice is to weigh the pros and cons before doing anything. Your intuition will always tell you what is better.
Stress Reduction
If you still feel like you have succumbed to anxiety, we advise you to make special stress reduction techniques your daily friend. Below you will see what we can recommend to you.
Please note: Regularity is important for effectiveness. Do the techniques as often as possible, preferably every day.
Meditation
Practice mindfulness meditation to focus on the present moment and reduce anxiety. Start by finding a quiet place where you can sit comfortably without being disturbed. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to center yourself. Focus on your breath as it moves in and out of your body. If your mind starts to wander, gently bring your focus back to your breathing. Aim to practice this for at least 10-20 minutes daily.
Deep Breathing
Use techniques like diaphragmatic breathing or the 4-7-8 method to calm your nervous system. For diaphragmatic breathing, sit or lie down in a comfortable position. Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. Breathe in deeply through your nose (your abdomen should rise more than your chest). Exhale slowly through your mouth. The 4-7-8 method involves inhaling for a count of four, holding the breath for a count of seven, and exhaling completely for a count of eight. Repeat this cycle four times to help calm your mind and body.
Visualization
Imagine a peaceful scene or place to help your mind relax. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Picture yourself in a serene setting, such as a beach, forest, or mountain top. Engage all your senses in this visualization: hear the sounds, feel the textures, smell the scents. Spend a few minutes in this mental space.
Yoga
Practice yoga to combine physical movement with mindfulness and deep breathing. Yoga involves a series of poses and stretches that improve flexibility, strength and balance. It also contains deep breathing and mindfulness. Start with a beginner's class or online video to learn the basic poses and techniques.
Tai Chi
Use this gentle form of martial arts for relaxation and focus. Tai Chi consists of slow, deliberate movements and postures along with deep breathing and mindfulness. It is often described as "meditation in motion." Look for a local class or online tutorial to get started.
A Safe Outside Starts from the Inside
So, in order to feel safe, it is important not only to buy special tools and follow the rules, but also to find inner harmony. After all, security is only our subjective feeling of the world and its influence on us. Then maybe it is worth starting with thoughts and only then moving on to practice? It is up to you.