Smartphones have become an essential part of everyday life. Many people spend many hours each day using them. They help with work, communication, shopping, navigating, and staying entertained. However, your phone can do more than that. It can help you support healthier habits.
You also don't need to spend more time on your mobile phone to benefit from it. The idea is to make your phone more effective in the time you already spend using it. Here are some surprising ways your smartphone can support your health.
Make Staying Active More Convenient
Starting to exercise can feel intimidating at first if you are unfamiliar with structured workouts. With your smartphone, you can access:
- Simple exercises for beginners
- Walking guides
- Stretching video clips
- Yoga practices
- Instructed workouts
You can practice these exercises at home. You don't have to commit to an entire hour either. Even a 15-minute exercise can do. It will also be easier to achieve than promising yourself two long hours at a fitness club.
Opt for something you actually enjoy. It will help keep you motivated. It can be dancing in your living room, doing some quick stretching, or taking a walk while listening to your favourite podcast.
Improve Your Chances of Getting Enough Rest
Your phone can negatively or positively impact your sleep. This depends on how you use it. When scrolling on your phone, you can lose track of time without even knowing it. Modern smartphones have bedtime or wind-down settings that remind you it is time to sleep. You can make use of features such as Apple Screen Time or Android's Digital Wellbeing.
There are also options to turn off notifications or keep your phone on silent mode. This can help reduce interruptions to your bedtime routine. You need at least 7 hours of sleep every night. This becomes hard to achieve if you get tempted to respond to emails late at night or keep on scrolling through social media feeds.
Try setting a wind-down reminder an hour before bedtime. When it goes off, consider it a prompt to finish what you are doing and put away your phone.
Store Your Health Information
Your mobile phone can become a handy device to store important medical details. You can write a note with all the medicines you take, allergies, questions relating to your doctor’s appointment, and symptoms bothering you.
You can also add emergency contacts and important medical information. This can be accessed from the lock screen. This information can be helpful in case you are unable to communicate during an emergency.
Use Your Phone to Stay Aware of Your Surroundings
Your environment can influence your well-being. Your mobile phone makes it easier to remain aware of this. Weather apps like Apple Weather and Google Weather, get details about temperature and air quality. You can receive alerts about extreme temperatures, pollution, and pollen levels. It helps you plan your outdoor activities.
You can also research potential hazards in your home or workplace. For example, if you are concerned about asbestos exposure, you can use your phone to learn about what asbestos is, where it may be found, potential risks, and guidance on appropriate precautions.
Set Reminders for Healthier Habits
Sometimes, you don't need more health advice. You need something to remind you to actually follow through. This is where your phone can come in handy.
Set your phone to remind you of all the important things you tend to forget, such as:
- Taking prescribed medications
- Health appointments
- Prescription refills
- Getting off the chair
- Drinking water
- Taking a walk
This will ensure they become part of your routine.
Endnote
While your cell phone can be helpful for your health, results don’t come automatically. How you choose to use it is what matters. You don't need anything sophisticated. Start with small steps and make the appropriate changes slowly. Do not just aim to spend more hours on the phone. The goal is to make the time you already spend on it more useful.
