The old concept of putting your phone away to maintain your general health is changing at a fast pace. This is because of the fact that every smartphone comes equipped with various health apps that can be used to track or maintain our health. Even doctors are happy with these features that give patients the ability to access health-friendly features which are useful. Let’s take a look at three of the health benefits of smartphones.

1. Keeping track of physical fitness
Most of the currently available smartphones have the ability to measure the distance traveled, total steps taken in a day, and even the number of stairs climbed, thanks to the motion sensors that come inbuilt with them. For iPhone users, you can tap on the Health app icon that is an in-built app (white square with a red heart), and find panes that will display information about steps taken, stairs climbed, as well as the distance covered while walking or running. It displays the day to day, per week, monthly and annual statistics so it becomes possible to keep track of your progress and compare the differences. There is no particular set up that is required for making use of this technology. To get the most accurate results you just need to keep your device close to you so you could carry, or place it in your pants.

Samsung’s latest phones come with a pre-loaded health app known as “S Health” helps you keep track of your fitness by performing a similar role of tracking your movement on a daily basis, keeping a record of how many calories you have burned, so on and so forth. It is super easy and quick to set up.

2. Monitors to measure your heart rate
S Health also has features to check your heart rate. It comes with an EKG-like line that goes through an orange heart and once you tap it, you will be presented with the option of editing your profile where you will be required to put in all your details. You can get the results once the system will analyze all the information and measure whether you are within a healthy range. Samsung does not guarantee the accuracy of these medical results, but when compared to trackers worn on the wrist, they displayed identical results. This proves that the latest updates to modern technology have added well to the healthy benefits of smartphones.

3. Apple’s very own health bracelet
For those using iPhones, Apple consists of a feature known as Medical ID that can turn any iPhone 4s or higher model into a bracelet that provides medical alerts. You can use the health app to find this. Now here’s the real catch- once you set up your phone’s Medical ID, it will allow access to your medical conditions, emergency contacts, blood type, and any other life-saving or crucial information that needs to be provided, by just tapping and holding on to the emergency button on the home screen. This can also be done when the phone is locked if you have enabled the “show when locked” switch.

All these features really prove to be beneficial for smartphone users. One can use these apps to be aware of one’s health. They are of great importance in the fast paced modern world.