Technology is so engrained into everyday life that sometimes it can be hard to see just how huge of an impact it has. While there are growing concerns around the role of technology in areas like social media and AI, plenty of technologies are actively helping people support their mental, physical, or emotional health.
FitBits and Smartwatches
It's fantastic that many smartwatches now don't just tell you the time, answer calls, or allow you to see in-coming messages. Many smartwatches have advanced beyond being pedometers and will assess and log data on your sleep or even offer mini ECG (a test to record the electrical signals in the heart). It's important to remember that when it comes to medical data, more extensive technologies, such as an orthopedic X-ray machine or PET scan, are needed to assess and diagnose patients.
However, this doesn't stop smartwatch technology's small but mighty impact. Whether the smartwatch allows for essential data to be assessed or even just for a person to monitor their heart rate, it's a technology that wasn't accessible in the same way even a decade ago.
Mental Health Apps
There's now a significant focus on the importance of mental health. Mental health can fluctuate, much like a person's physical well-being. Whether your mental health ebbs and flows across the day or over longer periods of time, it's important to understand the warning signs of bad mental health and use app technology to practice good coping mechanisms.
The market is saturated with mental health apps. Still, a well-reviewed app that can help practice good breathing exercises for anxiety or meditation for winding down and sleeping better is an excellent addition to your phone.
Period Trackers
The menstruation cycle is still largely under-researched, which has led to sometimes disastrous consequences for women with linked conditions such as endometriosis. While period trackers aren't solving these problems, they are an excellent tool for collecting data. Some women still don't feel confident discussing their menstruation cycle with health professionals for fear of being told the doctor knows better.
That's why understanding their cycles gives women a greater sense of empowerment. With months, or even years of data, in their phones, women can now evidence (though they shouldn't have to) their cycle patterns and offer health professionals a deeper understanding of their specific problem.
SAD Lamps
SAD lamps are lights specifically designed for those who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder; often, those with this disorder experience more depressive periods during the winter or when natural light is sparse. While it's just a lamp, SAD lamps can improve symptoms when used within the first hour of waking up. While only legitimate SAD lamps must be purchased, this everyday technology can make a dramatic difference to your everyday life.
Final Thoughts
Technology can be a force for good, especially when manufacturers and researchers design products to help people's mental, physical, and emotional health. It's crucial not to rely on everyday technologies to diagnose conditions, but you can still reap the health benefits if you know where to look.
