How tech can enhance your wellbeing
What’s happened to your tech usage since Coronavirus lockdown was announced? Are you constantly scrolling your phone? Are you talking to colleagues, friends or relatives through video calls? Have you joined an online party or exercise class? Are you using your meditation app more? My husband has taken to announcing how many steps his Fitbit tells him he has walked each day and the competitive side of me is trying to up my game!
We are all too aware of the risks of using our smart phones too much and how children’s brains are fundamentally shaped by how much screen time they are exposed to. But what about the benefits of the booming technology industry in helping our wellbeing? Advances in touch technologies, artificial intelligence and augmented reality are paving the way to better mental health by providing more people with access to digital interventions as an alternative to drugs and prescriptions.
We're privileged to be living in a time where science and technology can assist us, make our lives easier and rethink the ways we go about our daily lives. I’m often in awe when I hear about the latest developments and wonder what the future will be like when prices plummet making tech affordable. Here are a few of the latest things that are hitting the market making their way into the mainstream.
Flow headset (£399) https://flowneuroscience.com/
This has been shown on TV programmes to promote weight loss, it is also used to manage depression. It pulsates non-invasive electrical currents to the left frontal lobe to boost mood. The headset is designed to change neural activity in the brain. Flow suggest you wear the headset for 30 minutes three times a week. The company have received significant investment and are talking to the NHS to provide headset on prescriptions for those with depression.
Oral B’s smart Genius X toothbrush £169.99 https://www.electricteeth.co.uk/oral-b-genius-x-review/
The toothbrush connects to an app on your phone over Bluetooth. When you start brushing, the app will show a timer of how long you’ve been brushing and guide you to where should brush next. Data can be sent to your dentist .. no more lying about flossing!
Woebot https://woebot.io/
I love this app. It was built by psychologists who wanted to provide some basic therapeutic support to the many that are unable to access health care. It’s like having a pocket therapist or well-being coach on your phone providing text interactions and offering top tips, checking in on mood and emphasising positive ways of thinking. The more you have conversations with Woebot the more it learns about you. Try it!
Pip fingerprint sensor (£139) www.thepip.com
Your fingerprint can give you access to more than just your banking app. Pip is a sensor that connects to your phone via Bluetooth and works out whether you are stressed, anxious or relaxed. It provides biofeedback so you can see what is going on. It offers games that promote deep breathing, the more relaxed and less anxious you are, the better you perform.
Happiful App (first eight modules three, £9 per month thereafter)
Happiful uses a gaming approach to help users tackle negative thought patterns. In one game you use an Angry Birds style catapult to chuck negative thoughts. Each game comes with a cognitive behavioural therapy explanation and references evidence-based research and studies
Behavioural pattern recognition (e.g. https://www.ucare.ai/ or https://mindstrong.com/)
Ability to recognise patterns such as internet activity, travel, sleep and then asks you to self assess based on that information. This potentially can pinpoint issues before a mental health crisis even preventing hospitalisation.
Lumie Bodyclock Rise 100 (£79) https://www.lumie.com/products/bodyclock-rise-100
An alarm clock that mimics the light and colour of a real sunrise up to 30 minutes before you wake up so when you open your eyes you feel properly awake and refreshed. Waking like this helps to regulate your sleep-wake cycle and has even been shown to boost mood, energy and productivity levels for the rest of the day.
FridgeCam (£149.99)
FridgeCam takes a picture every time you open your fridge door closes and sends it to the Smarter app allowing you to know what you have in, even if you are out. It helps prioritise food that is going to expire and reduces food wastage. Also can be used to ensure your other half does not still your favourite treats!
DIY health kits https://www.letsgetchecked.com/ or https://sh24.org.uk/
Offering a range of home testing kits, such as ones that test your HDL cholesterol (the good stuff) & non HDL cholesterol (the bad ones). Would you like free, confidential 24/7 sexual health testing kits delivered to your home? SH24 are working in partnership with the NHS and provide clinical support by text message, phone or email.
My dream is to own a Tesla self driving car (which is different from driverless cars). The incredible technology behind self driving cars lets the on board computer make hundreds of calculations a second. These include how far you are from objects, current speed, behaviour of other cars, and location on the globe. These super accurate readings have virtually eliminating driving errors, the only accidents so far are while human drivers have been in control.
What might the future look like for you?