Automate your heart

od bless alcohol: the cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems. Actually, sinking a pint to take the edge off your stress isn’t the best idea – and the old trick of imagining your colleagues in the buff ahead of a big presentation is no good either. If anything, catching sight of Daryll’s imaginary short and curlies at two in the afternoon is going to set you even further on edge. Thankfully, there’s a new gadgety way to help you get nicely chilled for that all-important Powerpoint moment: Doppel.

GA fitness tracker? No thanks. I’m allergic to exercise. Funny how that’s going round right now. Nope, as much as even going for a brisk walk will pump some positive endorphins around your body, Doppel is significantly less high-tech than your average tracker. Crucially, the science behind this vibrating wearable is very smart indeed. Doppel works by vibrating to a set heart rate on your wrist, which your body then naturally replicates. So if nerves have unleashed a whirlwind of butterflies around your stomach, you can rein them in without fuss. So I can finally delete that mindfulness app off my phone? Huzzah! Well, not really. Doppel’s creators are keen to stress that this device isn’t a quick fix for anxiety or any conditions that may be getting you down – you’ll still need to look after yourself even with one of these strapped on. Just think of it as another weapon in your stress-relief arsenal. Conversely, if you tend to nod off at midday, head into the Doppel app and up its vibrations for a newfound focus. It’s all perfectly safe, and reasonably affordable: Doppel starts shipping early next year for US$179.