Taking care of your health is important if you want to live a long and full life. It used to be that working out and eating right was something you did at home or at a gym and you simply had to remember how well you were doing.
If you wanted to track it more thoroughly, you’d need a pen and paper to create a workout diary. These days, everything from your smartphone to the treadmill at the gym is hooked up to WiFi and ready to provide you with information when you need it. There are many ways that technology supports your health.
1. Applications
Apps are one of the most popular ways that technology can help you to improve your health. Whether you’re using one to remind you to take your metabolism support supplements or you’re tracking everything from how many calories you take in, to how often you’re exercising, apps are available for a wide range of health-related needs. It isn’t just your physical health that apps are helpful for, either. There are apps that provide guided meditation or other relaxation techniques that may improve your mental health. Even nurses use apps to help them help you, which means they really affect every facet of your health.
2. Virtual Reality
Virtual reality is another type of technology that is taking the healthcare industry by storm. Healthcare professionals use VR with their patients daily. One example of its use is to help ease pain in children. After they have surgery, children can use VR to swim with dolphins or perform other tasks that take their minds off of their pain. VR can also be used to help people overcome fears with exposure therapy since the virtual environment seems so real. Finally, even using VR gaming devices at home can promote health since VR gaming gets you off the couch and moving around the room.
3. Wearable Devices
From FitBit to Apple Watches, the fitness market is saturated with wearable devices that help you track everything from how many steps you take during the day to how many hours you sleep during the night. These wearable devices link to apps on your phone via BlueTooth and can be set up to remind you to do things like walk 250 steps per hour or drink enough water throughout the day. Many of the devices also track heart rate, how many minutes you’ve had a heart rate in exercise range, and much more. Analytics allow you to see your averages and overall progress on the apps, and social features allow you to join teams for fitness goals and accountability partners.
4. Websites
One of the first types of technology to improve health, the website, is still going strong decades later. These days, more doctors than not offer virtual appointments that require websites and applications to work properly. There are websites for exercise videos, websites that offer calming music or nature sounds, and websites that provide anonymous counseling for people who have problems with alcohol or narcotics. Additionally, these days, most patients can access their medical records online.
5. Gym Equipment
Even gym equipment relies on technology these days. The treadmills, ellipticals, and even the weight machines have QR codes that provide you with more information on how to use the machine. Many also offer video workouts, virtual hiking paths, and more. These days, you can even get a smart mirror. When activated, the mirror provides you with a wide range of at-home cardio workouts that require no major equipment.
Regardless of the technology that is available, it is no replacement for a visit with your doctor. If you plan to start a new workout routine or diet regimen, it is important to talk to your doctor first. He or she can help you create a plan that honors your body’s needs and pushes your boundaries in a healthy way. With the right plan from your doctor and the right technology on your side, you’ll be feeling fitter in no time.
