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ASensoria bragives me an account of my intensity during exercise.
Throughout the day, theT2 Mood Tracker appon my phone asks me how I’m doingtense or relaxed?
Distracted or focused?and I swipe my state of mind.
Plus, knowing it helps you change it.
There’s science to back this up.
Like Michelle, tracking made me want to beat myself at my own game.
Instead of skipping Spin class on the day of a work deadline, I felt wrist-shamed into going.
Positive feedback can be highly motivating, studies show.
she’d text).
On days I didn’t, I found myself defending how busy I was.
These irritations notwithstanding, after two weeks of tracking, I was more hydrated and maybe even fitter.
I discovered I don’t push myself even half as hard when I follow my own impulses.
So I played harderand had a bit less fun.
Did I think “later…” about the walk I’d take?
Was I not prioritizing rest?
I also learned that while there are things I can automate, some things remain unquantifiable.
The short answer: you could’t know for certain.Major manufacturers ofactivity trackersput their products through the quality-testing wringer.
Still, these do undergo rigorous testing before they meet FDA approval.
Who can see my data?
Another risk is that your info could be shared with marketers or other third parties.
Should I share my info with my M.D.?
But it’s worth asking your M.D.
to help you set targets for yourself using your tracking data.
Smartphones are putting more knowledge and power into patients' hands.
Currently, much of your biodatafrom heart rate to sleepcan get funneled (with your OK!)
from your apps to your doctor via platforms likeApple HealthKitandMicrosoft HealthVault.
You’ll help advance science.
All of this monitoring goes beyond your own health.
Google is working on a wristband that can track patients' vitals for clinical trials.
You could change your health future.
Dr. Topol thinks we’ll one day have a giant global database containing everyone’s medical data.
“To me, that’s the most exciting part of all of this.”
Kristin Canning
Photo Credit: Getty, Getty
