Sometimes it feels like our lives are saturated with technology. From the computers at work to the phones in our pockets- technology makes things easy. We at Northwest Vein Center use the latest in medical and organizational technology in our offices every day, so we know how easy it is to let technology de-stress and un-complicate your life.  Why not apply those same technical advantages to your healthy lifestyle? Here are our three tech-tips for bringing your healthy choices into the 21^st century:

1) Reminding you to Stand- More and more research is emerging to show the detriments of sitting for long periods of time. If you work at a desk every day you are probably already experiencing some of these negative sitting side effects. We all know that prolonged sedentary behavior is bad for you, but what we are now starting to see is how easy it is to reverse these negative effects by simply standing more often. While many apps and fitness devices have built-in features to remind you to stand when you’ve been sedentary for too long, one cheap and easy way to mimic this service is to set a reoccurring alarm on your computer or phone. Try setting your alarm for once every hour. When the timer goes off, make a point of doing your next task standing. Of course it’s unrealistic to think you’ll be able to do all of your work tasks while standing if you do not have a standing desk, however things like phone calls and conversations with co-workers can certainly handle the extra altitude. Even if you don’t end up standing up for every alarm you’ll still add extra motion into your day. Just make sure your alarm is quiet enough that it doesn’t disturb your office neighbors.

2) The Internet is Great- The Internet is a great place to connect with others and learn about the world around you. You must already be pretty good at using it too, since you’ve stumbled upon our blog! Take your Internet skills to the next level by using it to find fitness classes and activities near you. You can find out about gym schedules, community classes, group runs, and so much more. Check out directories for neighborhoods near where you live or near where you work. Facebook is also a great place to find groups of people taking classes together or traveling for exciting activities. Want to learn to ski? You’re probably not alone! Even if group classes aren’t really your cup of tea, you can still use the online community to share your athletic progress and get tips and advice from others who are trying similar things. While you should always be careful about giving out personal information, or believing everything you read, the Internet is still a great place to share your fitness goals and accomplishments.  

3) Fitness Trackers- From smart-watches to simple bracelets, with all the options available on the market today you are certain to find a fitness tracker that suits your aesthetic tastes.  Many of these bands offer a myriad of tracking data, from GPS maps of your runs to sleep cycle monitors. It’s easy to go a little crazy with the sudden influx of data about your life. However, even the simplest of these little bands can provide you the impetuous for change. When you are able to track your steps or activity level you are able to make calculated adjustments to your lifestyle. If you know that you are the kind of person who responds well to data and precisely set goals, then the initial investment of a fitness tracker may be just what you are looking for to improve the quality of your life. Many fitness trackers let you share your data with others. If you are choosing to compete against your friends, or celebrate accomplishments with your co-workers, this feature is a must. Even if you keep the data to yourself, tracking your activity is a great way to set goals and make sure you stick to them.