Mindful Tech: How to Use Apple Shortcuts & NFC Tags to Support Calm
I never thought I’d be the kind of person talking about “automations.” It sounds like something a tech bro with six monitors might say. But here we are. And honestly? Learning how to make my phone work for me, instead of against me, has been one of the simplest ways I’ve created more calm in my day.
It started when I realised how much time I spent fighting distraction. Opening one app to meditate and somehow ending up on Instagram. Writing a reminder note and getting lost in emails. My phone was built to grab my attention, not to give me peace - so I decided to quietly hack it.
Now, with a few simple automations and NFC tags, my phone gently nudges me toward mindfulness instead of chaos.
What Automations Actually Are (and Why They’re Not Scary)
Automations are like little digital helpers that take care of small things for you, no coding, no fuss. You can set them up once and let them do their thing quietly in the background.
Think of them as the modern version of laying your clothes out the night before. You’re reducing friction and decision fatigue so it’s easier to do the thing you want to do, like journaling, meditating or winding down.
Some of my favourites:
My morning playlist starts at 6 am (no scrolling, no decisions).
Siri reminds me to get up and have a creative day at 6.15 am.
As I get into bed I tap my phone on an NFC tag and all sorts of automations happen… including starting a hypnosis track or sleep meditation once I'm tucked in for the night.
Each little action creates a smoother rhythm in my day, one that feels calm, intentional and a bit magical.
Meet the Mindfulness Shortcut
If you have an iPhone, you already have the Shortcuts app. It’s a simple way to create one-tap or timed routines - like “when I open this app, do that thing.”
For example:
When your phone connects to CarPlay, your driving playlist could start.
When you plug in your charger at night, it could open your sleep meditation.
At 7.30am Siri could ask you “what needs to be added to your to-do list today” and open reminders.
These gentle cues remind you to slow down, breathe, and check in. You’re still in control, the phone just becomes your ally instead of your enemy.
The Magic of NFC Tags
Now for my favourite part: NFC tags.
They’re tiny stickers (you can find them on Amazon for a few dollars) that talk to your phone when you tap it against them.
NFC stands for Near Field Communication. It’s the same technology used for tap-and-go payments
You can program them to trigger a Shortcut, like playing a playlist, opening an app or turning on Do Not Disturb.
Here’s how I use them:
I keep one in a little matchbox that blocks distracting apps when I tap it.
Another is in the kitchen and when tapped starts a timer so I know when my tea has brewed (I have a bad habit of getting distracted!)
One by my desk puts my phone into deep focus mode and opens the Endel app.
It’s playful, tactile and a little bit magical, like pressing a secret button for calm.
Why It Works for Midlife Minds
Midlife brings a full mental load - work, family, hormones, health, the endless list. Our brains are tired from making decisions all day. Automations free up just enough headspace to breathe again.
They don’t replace mindfulness. They simply remove barriers so you can get to the part that actually matters - the pause, the breath, the moment of presence.
It’s not about becoming more productive. It’s about feeling more at ease.
Try One This Week
If you’re curious, here’s a simple one to start with, a Morning Calm Cue that gently reminds you to pause before diving into the day.
How to set it up:
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
Tap Automation at the bottom, then Create Personal Automation.
Choose Time of Day and set it to your usual wake-up time (for example, 6.30am).
Select ‘Daily’ for every morning and ‘Run Immediately’ so it happens all on its own.Tap Add Action → Play Music, and select your favourite calming playlist.
Tap Add Action → Show Notification, and write a message like:
Pause before you scroll. Take three slow breaths.
Now, each morning your phone will softly cue calm instead of chaos, music playing, a little reminder waiting. It’s a tiny tweak that helps you start the day from presence, not pressure.
Optional: pair it with a cup of tea or your morning journal to turn it into a ritual you actually look forward to.
TRY AN NFC TAG FOR MINDFUL HYDRATION
If you’re keen to experiment with NFC tags, here’s a fun and simple one - use a tag to log your water each time you empty your drink bottle.
How to set it up:
Stick an NFC tag on your water bottle (not on metal, I have mine on the plastic lid of my Frank Green).
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
Tap Automation → Create Personal Automation → NFC.
Tap Scan, then hold your phone near the tag to register it.
Add an action: tap Add Action → Log Health Sample → Water.
Set the amount (for example, 1000ml).
Tap Next, turn off Ask Before Running, then Done.
Now, each time you empty your bottle, just tap your phone against the tag and your hydration is logged automatically in the Health app.
You can even add a second action to show a quick message like:
“Nice work. You’re hydrating yourself.”
Tiny tech, big ripple effect. It turns a small daily task into a mindful moment of care.
Calm doesn’t always come from doing less. Sometimes it’s about setting things up so the calm finds you.
If you ever feel like technology has taken over your attention, remember: you can teach it to work in service of your peace.
Please Note: with the new iOS update there are some changes, so if you are using older software it could look a little different, but play around, you’ll get there!