Making Schedules and Researching Nutrition: Tech Tips for Getting Fit and Finding Balance

Despite its shortcomings, technology has done a world of good for the people of today. And although a computer or smartphone can’t serve as a substitute for healthy habits, these devices do have a place in whole-health living. Scroll on for a bit of information from TheHitc on how you can use technology in your life to serve the greater good of your mind and body.

Quick Access to Nutritional Information

Your phone can’t teach you to cook, but it can arm you with information on ways to improve your diet. Whether it’s looking up information on why you should take a multivitamin or browsing healthy recipes, your phone is a valuable tool. It can help you maintain your health when you are on a strict budget by utilizing free health apps (more on these below).

A JMIR Publications study found that your phone or other devices can also keep you on track when you use them to catalog your activities. One example of this is to mark on your calendar what you eat and when, and how you feel in the hours after. This can help you spot trends in your diet that don’t help you live your best life. Additionally, you can use apps to track how much water you’re drinking. On average, adults need to consume at least two liters of water each day, and our reliance on coffee and caffeinated beverages can often derail this goal. The hydration app Hydro Coach can help you develop healthier habits. You may find that tracking your water intake will also help you to notice other unhealthy habits, and swap them out for healthier ones, like produce for snacks and taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

Automatic Fitness Feedback

In addition to your phone, there are many health benefits to utilizing wearable technology. A fitness tracker like the Apple Watch or the Amazfit can give you instant feedback on your health. The Apple Watch, for example, has a built-in heart rate monitor; the Amazfit isn’t quite as advanced but does have a 30-day battery. Cost-wise, the Amazfit is a more affordable option, although, depending on your data service provider, you can get the Apple Watch on monthly installments if you decide you need access to its advanced features.

You can also choose from a number of stylish watch bands for your Apple Watch! Most fitness watches also track sleeping patterns, which is also important to your health — getting enough sleep is also the best (free) habit you can maintain for your overall physical and emotional wellness. Beyond workouts, you can use your smartwatch in other areas of your life for things like time management and dictation, to name a few.

Finding Balance

Although apps and technology can provide us with great resources, it is important to find balance between the digital and physical world. MedicineNet reminds us that getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night is vital to our physical well-being. And being in nature has been proven to reduce anxiety and boost mood. In fact, even bringing potted plants and nature-themed art can have positive effects on our mental state.

Create a Schedule to Keep Everything in Order

Creating a schedule is an important step when it comes to achieving fitness goals and finding balance in life. A schedule allows you to plan out your meals, workouts, and rest times, which helps you stay on track with your fitness program and makes it easier to stick to your goals. Additionally, creating a regular schedule also helps prevent burnout as you will have time set aside for rest as well as work or exercise. Having a plan can help keep you motivated so that you don’t become overwhelmed or tempted to veer off course. Finally, having the right kind of scheduling system can be useful in enabling you to find the perfect combination of activities that best suits your lifestyle needs.

Utilizing your own free schedule maker can be a great way to manage the demands of getting fit and finding balance. With a schedule maker, you can manually input when you will eat meals, exercise, or take breaks to ensure that your daily routine remains balanced and consistent. Additionally, many free schedule makers have features like automated reminders that let you know when it’s time for certain activities and even provide helpful advice on which activities are best suited for each day. This is incredibly useful in helping to get the most out of your fitness program without having to worry about forgetting important tasks or unintentionally overworking yourself.

Apps for Whole Health

If you’re ready to explore technology as a way to remain healthy, the following three apps can help you get started.

• Runcoach: Runcoach is utilized by athletes and personal trainers to help professional runners improve race times. However, you do not have to have a wall full of medals to download the app and improve your workouts.

• Freeletics: Freeletics is free to install. It’s an exercise app that can help you achieve your fitness goals without the expense of a gym membership. By encouraging users to participate in HIIT workouts, Freeletics promises fast results and support as you learn to build and maintain healthy habits.

• Simply Yoga: Yoga Has been used for more than 5,000 years as a way to connect your mind and body. If you don’t have the money for a yoga class, Simply Yoga brings the instructor to you instantly via video demonstrations with more than two dozen poses. A paid version is available that will allow you to customize your yoga routine.

It is important to remember that technology does not replace the healing benefits of holistic practices such as massage, acupuncture, yoga, or other hands-on health therapies. However, it can be a great tool for helping us stay healthy and fit. While we should take advantage of tech advances when it comes to managing our daily lives and achieving our wellness goals, it is still important to practice mindful moderation and find a balance between incorporating these technological advances into your life without becoming overwhelmed by them. That said, don’t be afraid of innovation – sometimes taking a step back and setting the phone down can be just as beneficial as embracing new technologies!