Keeping track of your health: There’s an app for that!

With the constant advancement in technology, this article suggests that more people have taken advantage of their electronics and gadgets, especially with their smartphones, as a way to keep track of their health. It has become increasingly more common to download apps onto mobile devices, or use self-monitoring devices, to track personal health. And a recent survey shows that now 21% are utilizing these new technologies. Regardless of whether it’s electronic tracking, written diaries, or mental notes, general results do show that just the act of tracking health – such as diet, heartbeat, exercise routine, blood pressure, weight, sleep patterns, etc. – helps those who are trying to live a healthier lifestyle or manage a chronic conditions (e.g. diabetes, heart disease, etc.). Findings suggest that people are overall more inclined to ask doctors questions, more influenced to take a different approach and change their daily life habits to treat their illnesses, and more interested in improving their overall well-being. So instead of checking Facebook or Twitter on your smartphone, it may be well worth the time to check up on your health!