Technology for Focus & Wellbeing

Technology can be useful when you’re trying to focus, manage a busy workload, reduce distractions or look after your wellbeing.

You might be managing a mental health condition, going through a particularly demanding period, or simply looking for better ways to organise your time and energy. Tools such as focus modes, task managers, timers, read-aloud and relaxation apps can give you more options for managing different situations.

You don’t need a diagnosis or formal support arrangement to try these tools. Explore what’s useful, start small, and find approaches that work for you.

You might also like our blog post on AI resources to help you stay well, organised and on top of things — full of practical tips and tools

🎯 Focus & Reduce Distractions

🧠 Manage Tasks & Reduce Cognitive Load

  • Goblin Tools – free online and app-based tool that can break down tasks, check tone, and help with planning — great if you struggle with getting started on writing tasks.
  • Microsoft To Do – free with your QUB account; make simple task lists that sync across devices.
  • Trello – visual boards to organise assignments and group projects.
  • Notion (free staff/student plan) – flexible tool for notes, tasks, and project management. Register with @qub.ac.uk email address.

📖 Make Information Easier to Work With

  • Microsoft Immersive Reader – built into Word, OneNote, Teams, Outlook, Edge browser. Reads text aloud, simplifies page layout, offers line focus and colour changes.
  • Everway Read&Write – Reads text aloud, simplifies complex documents, offers screen masking to help reduce visual distractions. Available to download via browser plug-in/ Log in/register with @qub.ac.uk email.
  • NotebookLM – AI tool to summarise reading materials and help organise notes.
  • Edge PDF Reader with Copilot – reads PDFs aloud, summarises and simplifies documents in the browser.

🌿 Rest & Wellbeing

  • Pzizz – soundscapes for relaxation, sleep, and focus.
  • Calm Sleep Stories – free bedtime stories and soundtracks to help you switch off.
  • Sleepio – NHS-linked CBT app for better sleep habits.
  • Android Bedtime Mode – part of Digital Wellbeing, helps you wind down by muting notifications and turning the screen to grayscale.
  • Calm / Headspace / Insight Timer (free versions) – mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation.
  • Breathwrk / iBreathe – simple breathing exercises for stress and anxiety.

Quick Tips

✅ Use Dictate when speaking your ideas is more convenient than typing.
✅ Try Immersive Reader or Read&Write to listen to text or change how information appears on screen.
✅ Use Goblin Tools to break a large or unclear task into smaller steps.
✅ Use Focus Modes to temporarily reduce notifications and distractions.
✅ Try a Pomodoro timer to structure periods of focused work and regular breaks.

🧰 Not Sure Where to Start?

You don’t need to find the perfect app or completely change the way you work.:

  1. Start with the task – What are you trying to make easier: reading, focusing, planning, writing or something else?
  2. Explore your options – There may be several different tools or features that can help with the same task.
  3. Start small – Try one tool or feature before adding more.
  4. Check what you already have – Your phone, computer and QUB Microsoft 365 account already include lots of useful accessibility and productivity features.
  5. Keep what works – Different tools will be useful for different people and situations. You don’t need to use everything.

🎯 Try this: AHEAD’s “Discover your AT” tool  helps match tools to your needs.

👉 AI and Accessibility Interactive Guide – explore AI tools that support different ways of working