It is often reported and talked about by people that technology is detrimental to our health. The rise of technology has caused more mental health issues; it has made us lazier, social media and video games are addictive, and there is potentially a connection between using screens and having a weaker attention span and poorer academic performance in children. As well as this, there is the talk of delayed development in children, increased loneliness, higher stress, increased blood pressure and diabetes risk factors. But, if you look on the other side of things there are actually, so many different ways technology is improving our health. As it integrates itself into everyday life and advances at such a rapid pace, technology is proving to be extremely beneficial in our day-to-day living and taking care of yourself.  

Increased Awareness

Connectivity and access to information have helped raise our awareness of health and well-being. For example, you can now find out how many calories are in just about everything, exactly how exercise helps reduce stress and how many steps you’ve taken. 

Motivation

Staying motivated is one of the trickiest parts of living a healthy lifestyle. You might be going through an emotionally rough time or having trouble trying to lose weight, but technology means you can connect with others who have gone through the same struggles and made it. Hearing and reading other people’s stories and experiences are great for motivation. 

Tracking

There are now many devices and apps available to help track fitness and nutrition. Some devices even provide reminders of when to take medications and can connect users to medical assistance during emergencies. Even devices you don’t even think about are tracking our health. You may not know it, but your iPhone is tracking how many steps you’ve taken and that MyFitnessPal app you download on it is too, along with your calorie count.

Improving Communication 

Digital platforms such as MyChart have become vital for doctors and their patients to communicate by sharing lab results, sending messages, setting up appointments and keeping records. Digital communication has improved the overall relationship between doctors, nurses, and patients as well as ease jobs for medical professionals as they can easily access someone’s medical records to better prepare for diagnosis. Hospital IT Management systems are providing constant visibility to an organization’s fleet of devices meaning that hospitals can run more efficiently, and there is less risk to patients. 

Increased Privacy

It is easier to look up things online in the first instance before you go to the doctor. This isn’t always advised, but with personal problems, it can be helpful to know you’re not alone. You can also send off for tests for chlamydia online, which is meaning that many more people are willing to get tested as there is increased privacy.

Pain Management

Virtual technology is fast becoming popular in the healthcare industry. It can be used in so many ways you could never imagine; for example, victims of severe burns can use it to help manage pain as VR systems can help to distract them from pain signals.