The holiday season is here and it is important we remind ourselves to slow down, tune out, and check in with our bodies.
To kick off this new season, I would like to share with you the impact tech has had on my health and how I managed it.
This past month, tech has caused me to recognize a major health issue and reorganize my work life. At this point, I know you may be thinking… tech caused you a health problem? Well, yes… it has.
Awhile back, I wrote a blog about “Tech Neck” which is neck pain and spasm due to postures imposed while on the computer. Little did I know, I would later be faced with a severe form of tech neck called Torticollis.
This condition has caused me to change how much time I spend online, and how I align my posture while working at my desk. These habits were very difficult for me to change. Truthfully, I had to set the timer to signal when it was time to take a break or get off-line… this was not easy as I am someone who goes full steam ahead into all aspects of my life, including my research and screen time.
Now, my online life is much more restricted. Fortunately, massage, acupuncture & working with my doctor has meant my spasms have gone away after five weeks. These days, all tech is off by 8:00 p.m., and when I say all tech, this includes my phone (I honestly had to put it face down and away from me I was so attached). Now, I am back to dedicating time to self care, which is something I have always supported but found ways to avoid… well, not anymore!
As I share my story with you I hope it inspires you to be more proactive with your self care and make changes now. The habits I broke were dramatic, but so necessary for my health.
Now, onto a Health & Tech Update:
There is currently a lot happening in the health & tech fields, so I am going to touch on a few highlights. Each topic will link to studies which I have found to be informative.
If it suits your time and space better, you may also listen to my Facebook Live about Health & Tech.
What’s new in Heath & technology:
- Ways to add to your self care routine
- Importance of sleep
- Reducing tech time
- Mindfulness
- Harnessing the power of intention
- Hypnosis
- CRISPR project-able to detect more diseases
- The big 3-Google-Apple-Microsoft and AI to personalize care
- Apples Health App- Being tested in prestigious Heath care institutions
- Genome Sequencing- For all at a cost
- VR in health care- Education the caregivers
- Advances in Breast cancer treatment 2018
Here are a bunch of relevant resources I’ve collected for you guys to checkout if you’re hungry for more information on these subjects.
SLEEP
Sleep tracking a week long experiment
VIRTUAL CARE
How health care consumers and physicians see virtual care
Heart disease is the leading cause of death . Apple and Google take notice and hire Cardiologists.
BREAST CANCER
More women with early stage breast cancer may not need chemotherapy!!!
Value of second opinion for breast cancer diagnosis @ a center that specializes in oncology
MINDFULNESS
A new kind of Muse- Brain sensing technology to teach mindfulness.
MIND OVER MATTER
TEDX talk on hypnotherapy- Mind over matter. One of my favorites
GENOME THERAPY
CRISPR- genome therapy for rare diseases
Based in Boston, you too can have your gene’s sequenced for a price…..
RESEARCHER TO WATCH
Biotechnology Summit @ MIT October 2018. These are the researchers to watch.
A sampling of what areas being worked on: Bioengineering
Testing and research with Apple’s Health Record App
Tips on using Apple’s Health App
Genetically engineering mice to combat Tick borne Lyme disease
RESEARCH
VR IN HEALTH CARE
VR experience , what it’s like to experience Alzheimer’s. Used to educate all types of care givers
VR used to show the dying process-Used @ Gosnell Hospice in Maine & Teaching UNE med student
