David Poon, BSc. Immunology and Infection, PharmD Student
My Smart Wrist
Technology is meant to enhance the human experience (or destroy all humans). Sorry, I’ve been binge-watching the Terminator series. In recent years, you may have observed more and more people wearing watch-like objects on their wrist. Partly, they are a method to keep time, but they are loaded with many more features that can help improve your overall health. These so-called smartwatches come in many different forms, such as the Apple Watch®, Fitbit®, Samsung® Gear, etc. Smartwatches are accessories that sync data to and from your smartphone and can help track your health information.
Technology Helping You
Although the appearances of most smartwatches differ, most smartwatches share core fundamental features. Tracking steps, calories burned, recording different exercises, mindful breathing and sleep tracking features can be found in most smartwatches. These are great metrics to track if you’re planning to become healthier in 2019. Let’s focus into the physical activity component. Instead of estimating the amount of exercise you had in the day or how many calories you burned, a smartwatch can help track these metrics, helping you stay on track to meet your daily physical goal. Your smartwatch might even send you reminders, indicating your goal progress throughout the day. Imagine a smartwatch like a personal coach, only you don’t have to pay $99.99 every month. You just have to pay once and motivate yourself to stay active!
The Bottom Line
Watches already play a pivotal role in our lives. They tell us the time. Nowadays, smartwatches can be a helpful companion on your wrist, working for you by keeping track of your physical activity goals during the day. At night, it can help monitor your sleep patterns. Next time your healthcare professional questions how much physical activity you’re getting in a day, show them your progress on your smartwatch or smartphone! Like I said before, technology is meant to add to your experience, but at the end of the day, you’re still responsible for your own health.
