We often hear about how technology is making us less healthy, keeping us glued to screens inside of outside getting exercise. In fact, there are many places where technology intersects with good health, and below are several of the ways that tech can actually improve your overall health and quality of life.
A More Accessible Home
Tech has come a long way toward making the home more accessible for people with disabilities. For example, with smart technology, many things can be voice activated that would other require people who are vision impaired or who might struggle to operate small knobs or other objects that require dexterity. Smart technology can also detect whether burners are left on or other household hazards are not being attended to.
Another way that tech can be helpful in the home is by providing a way for people to go up or downstairs more easily. Utilizing wheelchair elevators between floors can mean that people who cannot climb stairs do not have to move out of their homes. Elevators can be installed in most types of homes, and the cost may not be as high as you expect.
Exercise
From fitness trackers that let you know how much of a workout your daily activities give you to apps that offer meal prep strategies, to smart home gyms and more, the world of exercise technology has come a long way from using a stopwatch to track your running splits. There are tech add-ons for just about every type of formal exercise you can think of and plenty for informal exercise as well. In addition, easy share options give you the opportunity to measure success against your friends or share your progress publicly. If you are struggling to stay motivated, this kind of tech can often do the trick.
Tracking Devices
While their accuracy varies, devices that can check everything from your sleep quality to your heart rate to your blood sugar levels and more can in some cases give you a preliminary picture of your overall health and in the best-case scenarios, can save you a visit to a doctor’s office for diagnostic information. In some cases, the information they provide can be used by insurance companies on an opt-in basis to give you more favorable rates. You might be able to identify areas where you could improve, such as getting more sleep or walking more, and make small adjustments that can be tracked over time to show how well you are doing.
Telehealth
In addition to being able to use trackers to transmit information to your doctor, you might be able to conduct entire appointments without leaving the comfort of your home. Of course, there are still plenty of conditions that require an in-person physical check, but there are plenty of things that don’t require you to show up a doctor’s office. If you aren’t sure whether you or one of the kids actually needs to see a medical professional, this can be the first step in making that determination. This option can also be helpful in bad weather, when you’re busy or if you live somewhere relatively remote.
