The past few years have taken their toll on our mental health, with a global pandemic, economic turmoil and conflicts adding to the strain.
The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is making mental health and wellbeing a global priority. With this in mind, SheCanCode takes a look at the health tech sector and how you can use tech to support your own mental health.
Wellness & Health Tech
With a focus on mental health and wellness on the rise (thanks to the pandemic), the health tech sector is booming.
The global digital health market was valued at $111 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $510.4 billion by 2025 and $885 billion by 2030.
One big aspect of the health tech sector is smart-wearables. Wearable tech can measure your sleep patterns, your blood pressure, hormone analysis, cardiac rhythm and much more.
The information provided by these wearables can help mental health professionals treat disorders more effectively.
There’s a (mental health) app for that!
There are a number of different apps around that can help improve your mental health.
Sleep apps, such as Calm, can help you get a better night’s sleep – important for your overall health and your wellbeing. Moodfit is a free app that helps you track your moods; and Headspace is a meditation app to help you live mindfully.
You can also find a therapist through apps – BetterHelp offers online therapy through video chats, messages and/or calls.
Digital GPs / Online Doctors
Many people, especially women, find it hard to carve out time to attend in-person appointments, or struggle with the lack of flexibility.
The last few years have seen GPs and doctor’s surgeries having to adapt and innovate during the pandemic, offering telephone or digitised appointments.
There are also now a variety of doctors who are solely online – Boots and Superdrug are just two high street names offering this service. Through online services, you can book an appointment or collect a prescription at a time that suits you.
Switching off
While technology plays a huge role in our lives, especially for people working in the sector, it is important that we learn to switch off and find a balance.
Heavy technology use can affect your sleep, your attention span, your stress levels, and your work-life balance. World Mental Health Day could be the right time to embark on a digital detox or at least limit your device time.
iOS systems let you schedule ‘Focus’ times to help you switch off from your device and unwind. Other systems also let you limit time on social media sites; and turning off push notifications can help stop you from being tempted.
