Technology has seeped into every aspect of our lives, including our pursuit of health and wellness. From fitness trackers to mindfulness apps, numerous digital tools can significantly enhance your journey toward a healthier, happier you. Let's explore some of the most effective apps and gadgets. The most powerful app for health might be the humble timer.
Fitness trackers and smartwatches
Many of us can’t resist a little competition. By tracking your progress, fitness trackers and smartwatches let you compete with yourself. They have become ubiquitous, offering a plethora of features to monitor and improve your physical health. They can track steps, heart rate, sleep quality, and even blood oxygen levels. Many also offer built-in GPS for tracking workouts like running or cycling. By providing real-time data and personalized insights, these devices can motivate you to stay active and reach your fitness goals.
Studies show that simply wearing a tracker will not motivate you into better shape. But if you can find the motivation, and build a new habit, a tracker can help you chart your progress.
Mindfulness and meditation apps
Incorporating mindfulness and meditation practices into your daily routine can significantly improve mental and emotional well-being. Numerous apps offer guided meditations, breathing exercises, and relaxation techniques to help you reduce stress, improve focus, and cultivate a sense of inner peace. Ahh.
Wirecutter recommends Headspace and Calm.
Sleep tracking
IWirecutter has this to say about sleep-tracking apps: “All in all, the accuracy and precision of personal sleep-tracking devices still leave much to be desired, regardless of the device or the technology. But that doesn’t mean they’re not useful. ‘looking at trends, instead of absolute values, can be helpful.’“ Currently, sleep-tracking apps aren’t sophisticated enough to be exact. And so you shouldn’t get hung up on the day-to-day REM numbers. But knowing when you go to bed and wake up is useful information. If you can afford it and are mostly interested in tracking your sleep, the new Oura Ring is making accuracy improvements.
Every phone has a timer
Every smartphone and most inexpensive digital watches comes with a simple timer. This unassuming feature can unlock a new world of healthy habits. Most of the battle is remembering — remembering to do the habit, and keeping track of how long you’ve been doing an activity. In Atomic Habits, James Clear shows that starting a new habit, evenfor a minute a day, can eventually lead to a new you. And all you need to get started is a timer. Check out our previous article on getting good at breaking bad habits.
“That which is measured improves. That which is measured and reported improves exponentially.”
This month in Portland
It’s Halloween time and Wicked the musical is playing at the Keller this month, let us know if you go!
We hope you’ve been enjoying these posts and finding them useful. Let us know if you’d like us to cover a specific topic. Have a wonderful holiday season.
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