It's that time of year again; coughs and colds are all around. The darker evenings make the thought of exercise unappealing and it can be hard to self-motivate, but fear not! Technology can help keep you in tip-top shape regardless of the weather outside.
Fitness:
This, for me, is the hardest thing to maintain during the winter months. I have been an avid fan of RunKeeper, a free application on iOS and Android, for the last number of years.
The app using my phone’s GPS information to track my run and tells me what distance I’ve done. It gives me information every 5 minutes, which I find motivates me to keep running. I’ve also set it up to mail me if I haven’t gone for a run in 5 days. Again, pushing me to get off my backside.
Diet:
Whisk.com lives on my “bookmarked” tab. Not only does this site give you stunning receipies and allow users to make shopping lists, it’ll tell you what you can make with what’s in your fridge right now. This makes whipping up a tastey meal, after a very long day, a simple task.
It's possible to filter the results based upon dietary requirements or preference. Once logged in, users can "favourite" recipes and build up an online cookbook.
Mental Health:
The global conversation about the importance of minding your mental health has led to the development of smartphone apps to assist users in taking time out for themselves. HeadSpace guides the user through short bouts of meditation.
I didn’t think I would be the meditating type, but this app has really helped me switch off for short periods of time and regroup.
Physical:
If you’re like me, picking up some bug or virus over the winter months is inevitable, but laya healthcare offer a number of techie solutions to get us back on the road to recovery. This service is a massive leap forward in terms of bringing every day healthcare into the digital space.
The CareOnCall service is available any time of the day or night, from any location in Ireland. They offer GPlive video consultations, meaning you can have a face-to-face consultation with an Irish registered GP, even if you don't have time to go there in person. Prescriptions can be released online and delivered to your door too.
Well-being:
This may seem like a slightly left-of-centre suggestion, but Tomato-Timer is amazing. The concept is incredibly simple; click “start” before you begin a task.
This then counts down 25 minutes, after which time an alarm will sound. I use this as it keeps me focused and prevents me from get overwhelmed on any one task. This is a productivity technique too, so everyone’s a winner!
This article was sponsored by Laya healthcare.
Your Insurance is provided by Elips Insurance Limited trading as Laya Healthcare. Laya Healthcare Limited, trading as Laya Healthcare, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland.
