Health 2.0 – smart gadgets for a healthier office life

Who would have thought that our wrists would soon know more about our state of health than we do ourselves? Thanks to health gadgets such as smartwatches and fitness trackers, we no longer need a medical file – the digital diary on our arm knows whether we have taken enough steps, whether our pulse is skyrocketing or when we should take a deep breath. These little all-rounders ensure that we live a little healthier, even in the office. And maybe that will save the boss from taking a sick day or two!

From step counters and sleep trackers to breathing coaches – an overview of smart health gadgets

Step counters, breathing coaches and heartbeat whisperers

Smartwatches not only motivate us to move more – they are our personal cheerleader when it's time to take more steps. Pulse and breathing monitors ensure that we don't run out of steam when a meeting runs over. If the ‘palpitations alarm’ sounds, it's clear that the project marathon should perhaps be interrupted by a coffee break. A quick glance at your wrist and you'll know whether it's going to fit or not – gym or no gym.

Blood sugar and blood pressure – now to go

For technology fans who have to juggle blood sugar and blood pressure, these gadgets are a dream come true. Instead of laborious tests, a glance at the smartwatch is now enough to see whether the values are still in the green zone. This is a real relief, especially for chronically ill people – and for everyone else, it's a reliable reminder: ‘Take a deep breath before the next project goes through the roof’.

Better air, better mood

Anyone who spends a lot of time in the office knows that fresh air can be a real game-changer. Smart gadgets remind us when the air gets thick again and we should urgently open a window. Breath tracking shows us how often we really take a deep breath – or whether we are more of the ‘I'll hold my breath until the call is over’ type.

Sleep trackers and stress meters: keeping the boss in check

Nothing brings more clarity to your daily life than a glance at the sleep tracker. If you ended up in the YouTube rabbit hole again last night, you'll regret it the next morning. Thanks to sleep analysis, we know exactly whether we're fit or maybe we should do without that fifth coffee. Stress meters do the rest when your pulse rises as soon as you see an email with ‘Important!’ in the subject line. That's when even the boss will sit up and take notice if it's all getting a bit too much.

A glimpse into the future: where health technology is really taking us

Smartwatches and smart technology are just the beginning. A glimpse into the future of health gadgets suggests that these little helpers will soon be able to do even more – and maybe even warn us of the next cold. Below, I present the highlights of the trends that could soon take our breath away.

Diagnoses from the wrist: mini-doctor for your pocket

Smartwatches already measure blood oxygen and heart rate, but that's just the beginning. Soon, wearables could be analysing even more, perhaps even our hormone levels. Imagine your wristband telling you: ‘Caffeine down, hormones up’ – and you've got an explanation for your Monday morning blues.

Predictive health analytics: Your watch becomes a crystal ball

A trend that is gaining momentum: health gadgets that predict risks before they occur. Thanks to algorithms, smartwatches could soon be warning us when our heart beats irregularly or our blood sugar levels take a rollercoaster ride. In this way, ‘predictive health’ becomes a little bodyguard that protects us from major problems before they arise – a personal oracle on your wrist, so to speak.

Mental health tools: mood sensors for your well-being

Smartwatches could soon be able to detect whether we are currently in a high or low phase. Mood analysis tools could be the next step towards mental health: when things get too much, a suggestion for breathing exercises or a walk will automatically appear on the display. This is an ideal way to gently remind you to close your laptop – or your boss, for that matter!

Networked health platforms: medical history in the cloud

In the near future, health data could be shared directly with doctors. In theory, an app could be used for the annual check-up: your doctor would look at the results from the last six months, provide comments via video and give tips – no more hours of waiting, no more long explanations. Of course, you would still be in control of your data, but this is an exciting vision for the next healthcare ecosystem.

Digital detox and self-care: less is sometimes more

With all this technology, there is also a counter-trend: digital detox! In the midst of the fitness and health hype, smartwatches could soon be prescribing little time-outs: ‘Switch off the screen and let your eyes relax’, ‘Put your phone away’ - it's handy when technology protects us from too much technology. Tools like this help us to maintain our balance and deal with the digital world more consciously.

AI-powered personalised recommendations: personal trainer 2.0

Personalised health plans for sports, nutrition and mental health are the future. A smartwatch could soon be able to tell when we are really productive and when a break is more important than the project at hand. This way, every small step forward is celebrated and users receive tailored tips for greater well-being – as if we always had a mini-coach with us.

Conclusion

Health gadgets are no longer a gimmick – they are the future of a modern, healthy office environment. Technology is developing rapidly and could soon offer even more: from individual recommendations for employee health to preventive health analyses. This is a great opportunity for companies to improve the well-being of their employees, reduce stress and perhaps even minimise sick days.

This is where adesso comes in

As an experienced IT service provider, adesso not only has the necessary technical expertise, but also provides targeted support to companies in integrating these innovations meaningfully into their daily work. Whether it's selecting suitable health gadgets, developing customised health promotion apps or implementing secure data platforms, our experts are there to guide you through the entire process.

The protection of sensitive health data is always our top priority: with adesso, companies have a partner that understands data protection and at the same time offers solutions that create real added value for employees. This is how Health 2.0 becomes a reality – securely, efficiently and holistically. A win-win for companies and employees.

Would you like to learn more about exciting topics from the adesso world? Then take a look at our previously published blog posts.