You can wear it – life-enhancing health tech 

“Okay, what’s it going to really take to get healthier?” We sometimes hear this question in our clinic, usually right after a mention of the words “lifestyle changes.”

Here’s some good news: getting started on better health doesn’t require an expensive gym membership or giving up pizza forever. For about the same cost as a large fast-food meal you can buy some simple wearable health tech – like a fitness tracker – that might just change your life.

We’re not talking about those fancy $400 smartwatches that cost more than a car payment. We’re talking about basic fitness trackers or used smartwatches in the $20-$40 range. Think of it as hiring a tiny personal trainer for your wrist—one that never yells at you or makes you do endless sit-ups.

What can these little devices actually do?

Wearables often are surprisingly helpful. They can count your daily steps, remind you to move around and can even track your heart rate and sleep patterns. It’s been said a tracker is like having a polite friend who gently nudges you to take better care of yourself.

The best part? Your health information stays private. Your tracker won’t gossip about your midnight snack habits or tell your neighbor how many steps you didn’t take yesterday.

Do they actually work?

The answer is yes, they can – and do – help. Even small changes—like walking an extra 1,000 steps a day—can boost your energy, improve your mood, and help with weight management. Once they embrace some basic exercise, many discover they sleep better than they thought they could.

These devices won’t judge you like a stern gym teacher. Instead, they quietly encourage you to do a little better today than yesterday, based on goals you set for yourself.

Beyond step counting

Other advances in personal healthcare technology are also available. At our health center, we’ve seen great results with remote blood pressure monitors over the past few years. For patients with high blood pressure, these devices help track how well medications are working and can help catch problems early—sometimes with just a quick phone call. Just knowing that can bring peace of mind.

Newer technology includes affordable glucose monitors that connect to smartphones. For people with diabetes, these can alert you to blood sugar changes without the finger pricks. They’re so small you’ll probably forget you’re wearing them.

The Bottom Line

Here’s something to remember: the cost of a fitness tracker is much less than one trip to the emergency room. Plus, using health-related wearables is expected to help lower healthcare costs—good news for both your health and your wallet.

How hard is it? If you can text your family about weekend plans or check the weather on your phone, you can use one of these trackers. Most work perfectly fine with regular smartphones, and you won’t need a computer science degree to figure them out.

Start small and affordable: you don’t need expensive equipment to begin improving your health. A basic $20-$40 fitness tracker can provide the motivation and data you need to make positive changes.

Every step counts: small improvements like walking an extra 1,000 steps daily can lead to real health benefits including better energy, mood, and weight management. Your tracker helps you build these habits gradually.

Prevention pays off: investing in a simple health monitor today costs far less than dealing with health problems later. These devices can help catch issues early and can help keep you connected with your healthcare team.

Perhaps next time you’re tempted by a junk food quick fix, why not consider saving those dollars for a new wearable fitness tracker? And remember, the Lost River traveling Farm Stand will be near you throughout the summer, into fall. Try some fresh fruit and vegetables right off the farm – your future self (and healthcare providers) will thank you.

(Traveling Farm Stand schedule: https://www.lostrivercoopcafe.com/farmstand)  

This information is presented as a public service by Southern Indiana Community Healthcare.