Healthy Tech

I'm sure there are plenty of you scoffing at that title. Is any tech healthy? Well...that depends on how
you use it and your dependence on it.

Funny enough, this post is coming to you at a moment I am using technology to be lazy and unhealthy — I've been watching Drunk History for a solid eight hours. I do want to point out thatI did get up several times to do laundry and make food. So I wasn't totally stationary ... That's what Sunday is for though, right?

In defense of myself, I do use the tech at my finger tips to facilitate healthier behavior as well.

One of my favorite apps is Aaptiv. I discovered the fitness/personal trainer app awhile back. I enjoy running — it's like the one physical activity I can perform successfully — but sometimes it can be very dull to sustain for more than 30 minutes. With Aaptiv, I select whatever workout appeals to me that day. I remember last year there was a Halloween workout set to songs for the holiday ... it's pretty great to run to the Monster Mash. In your hear, you've got a great running playlist and the encouragement of the trainer. Honestly, it makes the workout go a lot faster than my typical running playlist, and even ends with a cool down yoga sesh. Disclaimer: it is $9.99/mo. for a subscription.

For mental health, I turn to Headspace. Now, I admit that this doesn't get used as regularly as my other apps. I used it more in college when I had more time in the morning before class. Headspace is basically a guided meditation app. For three minutes each morning, I close my else and practice some measured breathing with the help of the most soothing English accent probably ever.

I have also dabbled a bit in My Fitness Pal. This app helps track both workouts and food consumption. I will admit that I have only ever used it to plan workouts. The app will be honest with me and be like "Girl, you have GOT to get some weights up in here at some point." Spoiler: I don't do weights. Oops. I tried the food tracker/calorie counter at the beginning, and it was very easy and comprehensive to use. However, I'm not one for counting calories ... that's just not how I prefer to enjoy food. But it's great for whatever aspect you want to track.

New apps are always in development to help facilitate health and wellness in a sometimes more accessible ways. For instance, Warby Parker has recently developed a prescription check app for those who wear eyeglasses. This app (just for iPhones at the moment) allows you to have your refraction checked for a lower price than you would if you had it done in conjunction with your eye health exam with your eye doctor. After the exam, a doctor will review your results, and if nothing has changed, will write you another year's prescription for your lenses. Please note, this does not apply to contacts - only eyeglasses.

- Ashley

What are your favorite health apps?