Tag Archives: Health

The best ergonomic keyboards for 2024

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If you spend a good portion of your waking hours behind a desk, simply slapping an ergonomic mouse and keyboard on your desk won’t solve the real problem, which is sitting still for too long. But after you’ve peppered in a few walks and added some stretches for good measure, your workstation ergonomics is the next thing to consider. Hunching, twisting and contorting are all likely to lead to discomfort in the long run.

Ergonomic keyboards can help: these boards split, tilt and/or angle the keys in ways that help keep your shoulders and chest more open and your forearms and wrists more aligned. One ergonomic board won’t work for everyone, so I tested out 15 different models, and considered a mix of ergonomic features that include Alice and fully split designs, columnar orientations, thumb clusters, programmable keys and more. Here are the best ergonomic keyboards we could find.

Most ergonomic keyboard layouts fall into two categories: Alice and split. The former is a single board with the two halves of the keys rotated about 30 degrees apart at the bottom. The separation forms an A-shaped space between the keys — which has nothing to do with why it’s called an Alice layout, it’s just a happy coincidence. This subtle tweak pushes your elbows away from your ribs while keeping a straight line from your forearm to your middle knuckle. Using one, I pretty instantly felt more open along the front side of my body. This layout more closely resembles a traditional keyboard, so it should be easier for most folks to get used to than a fully split option.

Speaking of, split boards break the keys into two separate parts you can position individually. You can put them shoulder distance apart, bring them closer together or angle them as much as feels comfortable. You can also put your mouse between the halves, which may feel like an easier trip for your cursor hand and could potentially help with conditions like repetitive strain injuries. Personally, I like being able to put my current snack between the two parts. I've also found that pairing a split keyboard with a good ergonomic mouse has helped me even more, particularly a vertical mice. 

You can find ergonomic keyboards with and without number pads. Not having those number keys on the right side lets you keep your mouse closer in, minimizing overall reach. But if you work with numbers a lot, you’ll likely want that pad included. Some programmable boards allow for the use of layers, which temporarily repurpose keys and can provide you with a ten-key option through clever remapping of letter keys.

Tenting raises the middle of the keyboard up, so your hands move closer to a “handshake” position. Alice keyboards usually angle up towards the middle and always to a fixed degree, since the two sides are connected. Split boards often let you adjust the degree of tenting, going from flat to subtle to extreme lift.

You may have encountered keyboards with an optional lift at the back of the board, raising the top keys higher than the space bar. Every set of hands is different, but for most people, pulling the backs of the hands towards the forearms increases strain. Negative tilt has the opposite effect by sloping in the other direction, lowering the top number keys while raising the edge with the spacebar. Many Alice and some split keyboards offer an optional negative tilt. I found it was more comfortable to enable that feature when I’m standing, and I preferred to have the keys flat when sat at my desk.

This decision seems to be one of the more hotly-contested among ergo enthusiasts. A conventional keyboard has staggered keys, with each row slightly offset to the rows above and below it — so the A key is about halfway between the Q and W above it. This is a holdover from vintage mechanical typewriters, in which each press activated a hammer that smashed ink onto paper in the shape of a letter. To fit the hammers as close together as possible, while still allowing for finger pads, the keys were staggered.

Columnar or ortholinear keyboards stack the keys in orderly columns, often with rows that are not linear. Proponents claim this makes the keys easier to reach. Whether that’s true will be up to your fingers to decide, but I can say for certain that if you learned to type on a staggered keyboard, switching to a columnar layout is tough. It will take days, possibly weeks before you instinctively hit the C key. The N, M and B keys don’t fare much better.

With a few exceptions, most ergonomic keyboards will work with PCs or Macs as a standard typing input, but the use of function and hot keys may require some remapping. It can be as easy as an onboard switch to toggle between Mac and PC layouts, or as involved as downloading software to change up the keys. Some boards even include (or let you buy) extra keycaps to change, say, the Mac’s Command and Option keys to PC’s Start and Alt buttons.

For some boards, remapping or programming keys is a crucial feature. Gaming peripherals have extra keys that you can set to execute a series of keystrokes with the push of a single button. Keyboards that work with layers, in which a single button can perform several functions, typically allow you to change what those are. Some ergo keyboards have non-standard layouts, like thumb clusters with multiple keys near the space bar that you operate with your thumb. You’ll also be able to program those.

Ergonomic keyboards come in mechanical, membrane, and scissor switch versions. Which works best for you is, again, up to your preference. I won’t get too deep into the particulars here, as we have an entire guide devoted to mechanical boards, but the short of it is that membrane and scissor switches are less customizable than mechanical and typically cheaper. Typing on them tends to be quieter and softer. Mechanical switches are more customizable, offer a more responsive typing experience and are usually pricier. 

You’ll also have the option of wired or wireless ergonomic boards. All other things being equal, wired models are less expensive. Competitive gamers who rely on split-second responses may prefer the zero-lag of wired keyboards. Wired models also never run out of battery life and have fewer connectivity issues. But wireless keyboards keep your desk less cluttered.

Some ergonomic keyboards come with permanent or removable wrist or palm rests, which can be cushioned or hard. This is another area where opinions diverge: proponents claim they help you maintain a neutral hand position, while detractors say they put pressure on the tendons in your wrist and can exacerbate conditions like carpal tunnel. Ideally, your palms should be resting, not your wrists, and you might find you like having that support or you may find the pressure uncomfortable. 

A closeup shot of an ergonomic keyboard that shows the two sides splitting apart.
Photo by Amy Skorheim / Engadget

All our guides begin with extensive research to figure out what’s out there and what’s worth testing. We consider brands with good reputations that we’ve heard good things about from colleagues and look at keyboard reviews in forums and other trusted publications. For this guide, I looked for keyboards with ergonomic features like tenting, split keys, palm support and so on. I also zeroed in on boards that didn’t require a deep amount of familiarity with the vast and exhaustive world of custom keyboards.

Once I settled on ten boards, I acquired them and used each one for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. I tried out the remapping and macros software and considered the comfort, design, price and durability of each model before arriving at picks I think will work best for the most people out there.

I remember wondering if something like the Goldtouch Elite Adjustable existed when I first started testing ergonomic keyboards. It didn’t at the time, as far as I could tell, but now a connected yet adjustable split board is indeed a product you can buy. It’s a solidly-built board and the ball joint connecting the two halves feels like it will put up with a lot of use. A squeeze of the lever at the top of the keys lets you set the board just how you like, adjusting both the vertical tenting and the angle between the two halves. There’s no programming to speak of, just the ability to swap a few function keys like print screen and home.

Unfortunately, the tenting doesn’t work for me. Because of the extra keys at the outer edges, raising the middle edges upwards lifts the center keys considerably, which brings my wrists and forearms off the desk instead of letting them rest. Holding them like that created extra neck and shoulder strain on my part, which is sort of the opposite of the goal. But if you’re not into tenting anyway and want a flat, Alice-split board with an adjustable splay, this works quite well.

The idea behind the Kinesis Form Split Touchpad Keyboard is pretty ergonomic: put the trackpad between the two halves and minimize travel for your mouse hand. The distance between the two puts your elbows at a comfortable distance and keeps your wrist nearly in-line with your forearms. The build is excellent, with low profile mechanical switches that feel smooth and just the right amount of clacky. The trackpad is responsive, but gestures only work with Windows computers. Even dragging and dropping doesn’t work on a Mac here, so I don’t see Apple users getting much use out of the board. I also found myself wishing for the slightest rotation of the keys — though they’re a good distance apart, a slight angle would keep my wrists fully unbent. There’s no tenting or negative tilt either, both of which could help a bit more, ergonomically speaking.

While it's a perfectly fine and affordable Bluetooth keyboard, the Logitech Wavekeys has minimal ergonomics. The keys rise up slightly in the middle and there's a comfortable wrist rest attached, but the layout is the same as any other keyboard, with no splitting of the keys to open up your arms or keep your wrists straight.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-ergonomic-keyboard-130047982.html?src=rss

England’s NHS will provide artificial pancreas to thousands of diabetes patients

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England’s National Health Service (NHS) said on Tuesday that “tens of thousands of children and adults” with type 1 diabetes will receive an “artificial pancreas” to help manage their insulin levels. The hybrid closed loop system — a sensor under the skin that sends wireless readings to an externally worn pump, which delivers insulin as needed — can help patients avoid the risks of type 1 diabetes without worrying about finger sticks or injections.

This isn’t the first device of its kind. Tandem makes similar insulin pumps in the US after it received FDA authorization in 2019. Gizmodo notes that another company called iLet got FDA approval for a similar device last year. Although the NHS hasn’t said which specific device(s) its program will use, what’s different here is the nation’s publicly funded health care system providing them for free rather than as an exclusive privilege for the well-to-do. (Sigh.)

The hybrid closed loop system starts with a sensor implanted beneath the skin, which continually monitors glucose levels at regular intervals. The sensor sends that data wirelessly to a pump, worn externally, which delivers the proper insulin dosage. The “hybrid” part of its name comes from the fact that some user input, including entering carb intake, is still required in the otherwise self-regulating system.

The government agency gave an ultra-precise figure of 269,095 people in England living with type 1 diabetes, highlighting how many folks could potentially benefit from the rollout. The NHS says local branches will begin identifying patients for the program starting on Tuesday.

“Diabetes is a tough and relentless condition, but these systems make a significant, life-changing difference — improving both the overall health and quality of life for people with diabetes,” Colette Marshall, chief executive of Diabetes UK, wrote in the NHS’s press release announcing the rollout. “This really is a landmark moment and we’ll be working with the NHS and others to ensure a fair rollout that reaches people as quickly as possible.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/englands-nhs-will-provide-artificial-pancreas-to-thousands-of-diabetes-patients-203236067.html?src=rss

England’s NHS will provide artificial pancreas to thousands of diabetes patients

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England’s National Health Service (NHS) said on Tuesday that “tens of thousands of children and adults” with type 1 diabetes will receive an “artificial pancreas” to help manage their insulin levels. The hybrid closed loop system — a sensor under the skin that sends wireless readings to an externally worn pump, which delivers insulin as needed — can help patients avoid the risks of type 1 diabetes without worrying about finger sticks or injections.

This isn’t the first device of its kind. Tandem makes similar insulin pumps in the US after it received FDA authorization in 2019. Gizmodo notes that another company called iLet got FDA approval for a similar device last year. Although the NHS hasn’t said which specific device(s) its program will use, what’s different here is the nation’s publicly funded health care system providing them for free rather than as an exclusive privilege for the well-to-do. (Sigh.)

The hybrid closed loop system starts with a sensor implanted beneath the skin, which continually monitors glucose levels at regular intervals. The sensor sends that data wirelessly to a pump, worn externally, which delivers the proper insulin dosage. The “hybrid” part of its name comes from the fact that some user input, including entering carb intake, is still required in the otherwise self-regulating system.

The government agency gave an ultra-precise figure of 269,095 people in England living with type 1 diabetes, highlighting how many folks could potentially benefit from the rollout. The NHS says local branches will begin identifying patients for the program starting on Tuesday.

“Diabetes is a tough and relentless condition, but these systems make a significant, life-changing difference — improving both the overall health and quality of life for people with diabetes,” Colette Marshall, chief executive of Diabetes UK, wrote in the NHS’s press release announcing the rollout. “This really is a landmark moment and we’ll be working with the NHS and others to ensure a fair rollout that reaches people as quickly as possible.”

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/englands-nhs-will-provide-artificial-pancreas-to-thousands-of-diabetes-patients-203236067.html?src=rss

The 5 best meditation apps for 2024

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Meditation is often touted as a mental cure-all, purported to help with stress, sleep, mood, focus and even certain medical conditions. I’ve been meditating most of my adult life. I’ve done silent retreats. I’ve been formally trained in various techniques. I’ve had someone in my contacts list who I referred to as a “guru.” So I feel I’m relatively qualified to give some bad news: Meditation won’t fix your life, despite what David Lynch says. However, there’s also some good news: Despite not actually being a cure-all for everything bad in the universe, meditation can certainly take the edge off.

This is where meditation apps can come into play. Of course, practicing mindfulness doesn’t require an app; people have been doing it for thousands of years, with nary a smartphone in sight. But mindfulness apps can be useful in a number of ways. They provide access to all kinds of guided meditations to suit different styles. Some even offer social connections, which can motivate you to keep up your practice via the magic of peer pressure. They are also particularly well-suited to beginners, with many of them offering a free trial. With all of this in mind, I downloaded some of the most popular meditation apps and set about sitting calmly on a comfortable chair to test them out. What follows is a comparison aimed at real people just looking to squeeze a bit more joy and relaxation out of daily life.

How we tested meditation apps

Every brain is different, so I did not rate these apps based on if they sync up with my preferred meditation style. First and foremost, I looked for apps that cater to various methods and those that offer guided meditations that go beyond what’s free on YouTube. All of the items on this list are available on both Android and iOS, so you won’t have to worry about something being only for iPhone owners.

Of course, there’s lots of free stuff out there, from podcasts and videos on YouTube to audio tracks on streaming services. You can even find guided breathing sessions on an Apple Watch or Fitbit, as well as meditations in Fitness+, Samsung Health or any number of workout video providers. For this guide, I focused on apps that stood out in some way. I liked apps with huge libraries of guided meditations and those that offer additional mindfulness activities, like yoga routines. I also looked for easy-to-use apps with well-designed layouts. You don’t want to start your meditation journey with a clunky app that actually increases anxiety.

The most important thing with meditation is to keep doing it, so I awarded points for clever gamification elements, simple social network integration and anything else that encourages repeat visits. Finally, I considered extra features that set an app apart from the glut of competitors out there. For example, some meditation apps offer novel ways to track your progress, access to yoga routines and a whole lot more.

At the end of the day, each of these apps has its strengths. But if installing an app or using a device is not how you prefer to meditate, you can always turn off your phone and find a quiet room or environment. For those of us who need a little help from a digital guru, though, here are our favorite apps for meditation.

Other meditation gear we tested

Brain-tracking wearables have been around for years, but there are some newer devices that have been tailor-made for meditators. These gadgets track the brain during meditations and offer real-time feedback. It’s a real boon for the data-obsessed, but also a real bank account drainer, with some gadgets costing thousands of dollars. I took two of the more-popular options for a spin to see what they’d make of my brain.

Sens.ai Neurofeedback System

Sens.ai is a weird contraption that not only claims to track brainwaves, but gives real-time feedback to “teach” people how to meditate and enter a flow state. The device involves a giant headset that’s stuffed with brainwave sensors that detect beta, alpha, theta and gamma waves, in addition to heart-rate sensors. It also comes with a truly bizarre companion gadget that uses light stimulation (transcranial photobiomodulation) to keep an eye on focus and attention levels. The whole thing is combined with an app that keeps track of dozens of data metrics and allows access to various guided meditations.

I’m as surprised as you to say that this thing appears to work, with some caveats. It’s uncanny how well it monitors the brain during meditations. If I got lost in a thought spiral about lasagna at six minutes in, sure enough, there would be a dip in analytics at the six-minute mark. It’s also fairly easy to use, despite a process that involves wetting a number of electrodes. As magical as the accurate brain-tracking seems to be, however, I wasn’t as keen on the actual training portion, which often involves staring at a screen throughout the entirety of the practice. It’s also not for the financial faint of heart, as the Sens.ai device costs $1,500.

NeoRhythm Omnipemf

NeoRhythm’s Omnipemf is another wearable to help people get into that ever-elusive flow state. It doesn’t track your brain, but rather floods it with electromagnetic fields at specific frequencies to make it more susceptible to meditation and focus. This is supposed to prime your brain for the meditative state and, in theory, make it easier to capture that zen. However, I didn’t get much from it, other than a placebo-esque buzzing in my head.

To use it, you simply pop on the wearable and go about your day. You aren’t tied to an app, so you can meditate in whatever way you like. There are multiple modes that go beyond meditation, as this thing is supposed to help with focus, pain relief and sleep. I’d wait for some peer-reviewed studies, however, before buying this.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/best-meditation-app-140047993.html?src=rss

This wearable device is the most scientifically effective way to treat knee pain

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Designed to look like a tiny helmet for your kneecap, the Kneeflow uses a unique combination of heat, light, and massage to relieve knee pain. Heat helps boost blood flow, light stimulates the cells to repair themselves, and massaging helps ease pain. The Kneeflow works faster than pills, better than those burning sprays, and promotes healing without any chemicals or even so much as a doctor’s prescription.

Whether you’re hurting from a tough workout or injury, dealing with chronic joint pain caused by age, or just looking to keep your knee in peak shape and performance, the Kneeflow is designed to rejuvenate the joint and relieve pain by treating the issue on both a surface as well as a deep level. The combination of heat treatment and massaging airbags both work on the surface to increase blood flow and provide physiotherapy to your joint. Nineteen individual infrared lights, on the other hand, work on a much deeper level, targeting the root cause of the pain by helping damaged cells regenerate themselves. The Kneeflow’s control panel lets you choose between multiple modes depending on whether you’re looking to recover from stiffness or pain, repair any injuries or stress caused to the joint, or just relax your knees after a long day and keep your joints at the top of their game.

Designer: Kneeflow

Click Here to Buy Now: $144 $249 (42% off exclusively for YD readers). Hurry, only 10 left! Raised over $176,000.

The Kneeflow’s design is highly intuitive, and all you really need to do is strap it over your knee like you would a knee guard. An LCD touchscreen lets you then calibrate the Kneeflow’s settings, choosing from modes as well as manually adjusting temperature or airbag pressure. The heat setting goes all the way from 113°F (45°C) for relieving soreness and stiffness, up to 131°F (55°C) for treating sharper stinging pain. Once you’ve selected your mode, the Kneeflow goes to work. The airbags pulsate, simulating the feeling of getting a soothing massage that relieves pain and relaxes you. Simultaneously, the Kneeflow also uses heat and light therapy over a period of a 15-minute cycle, after which the Kneeflow automatically shuts off. The Kneeflow’s 15-minute cycle is hyper-customizable, allowing you to increase or dial-down certain elements of the procedure depending on exactly what you need.

What sets the Kneeflow apart is the fact that it treats injuries and pains without really any invasive form of medication like pills, surgery, or even those topical sprays. It works effectively to address the root cause of the pain, and promote the body to heal itself, covering a variety of ailments from your regular joint inflammation/pain or tired & stiff knees to more serious issues like meniscus or ACL tears. The device was tested at last year’s Berlin Marathon, has the backing of medical experts and sports therapists who tout the benefits heat and light therapy, and even managed to get a testimonial from ex-NFL player Noah Dawkins who uses it after workouts or training for his current role in the Michigan panthers at the upcoming UFL. UFC fighter Herbert Burns also used the Kneeflow to nurse his ACL after an injury in 2022.

The Kneeflow starts at $249, although YD readers can snag it at a 42% discount for just $144. It’s designed to be wireless and portable, so you can carry it around the house or even with you to work or in your gym bag. A 15-minute cycle is recommended to provide daily relief and therapy, and you can charge your Kneeflow using a USB cable that comes bundled in the box. The Kneeflow ships globally with a 1 year replacement warranty.

Click Here to Buy Now: $144 $249 (42% off exclusively for YD readers). Hurry, only 10 left! Raised over $176,000.

The post This wearable device is the most scientifically effective way to treat knee pain first appeared on Yanko Design.

FDA approves the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor

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The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first continuous glucose monitor (CGM) people can buy without a prescription. Dexcom's Stelo Glucose Biosensor System has a sensor users are meant to insert into their upper arm, similar to the company's other CGMs that need a doctor's prescription for purchase. It pairs with a smartphone application that can show the user's blood glucose measurements and trends every 15 minutes. 

The company designed the device specifically for adults 18 and up who are not using insulin, such as those managing their diabetes with oral medications and non-diabetics making a conscious effort to control their sugar intake. It could be a great tool for people with insulin resistance, including individuals with PCOS and other metabolic issues that heighten their probability of developing diabetes in the future. In general, it could give users the insight to be able to better understand how the food they eat and the movements they make impact their overall health. 

While CGMs aren't anything new, they've become a wellness trend on social media last year, and even non-diabetics started using them. By clearing Stelo, the FDA is making the monitors more accessible than before. "CGMs can be a powerful tool to help monitor blood glucose," said Jeff Shuren, MD, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "Today's clearance expands access to these devices by allowing individuals to purchase a CGM without the involvement of a health care provide. Giving more individuals valuable information about their health, regardless of their access to a doctor or health insurance, is an important step forward in advancing health equity for U.S. patients."

Stelo will be available starting this summer. Each patch is meant to last for 15 days before users will need to replace it. Dexcom has yet to reveal how much it would cost, but it said Stelo will "provide an option for those who do not have insurance coverage for CGM."

A gray circular device.
Dexcom

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/fda-approves-the-first-over-the-counter-continuous-glucose-monitor-130008629.html?src=rss

FDA approves the first over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor

Posted on by

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first continuous glucose monitor (CGM) people can buy without a prescription. Dexcom's Stelo Glucose Biosensor System has a sensor users are meant to insert into their upper arm, similar to the company's other CGMs that need a doctor's prescription for purchase. It pairs with a smartphone application that can show the user's blood glucose measurements and trends every 15 minutes. 

The company designed the device specifically for adults 18 and up who are not using insulin, such as those managing their diabetes with oral medications and non-diabetics making a conscious effort to control their sugar intake. It could be a great tool for people with insulin resistance, including individuals with PCOS and other metabolic issues that heighten their probability of developing diabetes in the future. In general, it could give users the insight to be able to better understand how the food they eat and the movements they make impact their overall health. 

While CGMs aren't anything new, they've become a wellness trend on social media last year, and even non-diabetics started using them. By clearing Stelo, the FDA is making the monitors more accessible than before. "CGMs can be a powerful tool to help monitor blood glucose," said Jeff Shuren, MD, director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health. "Today's clearance expands access to these devices by allowing individuals to purchase a CGM without the involvement of a health care provide. Giving more individuals valuable information about their health, regardless of their access to a doctor or health insurance, is an important step forward in advancing health equity for U.S. patients."

Stelo will be available starting this summer. Each patch is meant to last for 15 days before users will need to replace it. Dexcom has yet to reveal how much it would cost, but it said Stelo will "provide an option for those who do not have insurance coverage for CGM."

A gray circular device.
Dexcom

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/fda-approves-the-first-over-the-counter-continuous-glucose-monitor-130008629.html?src=rss

This Portable Body Composition Tracker Revolutionizes Fitness and Health Monitoring

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A portable body composition tracker offers detailed health insights anywhere and anytime. The third-generation Fitrus Plus 3.0 retains its portability while introducing numerous upgrades, making it a versatile health companion accessible whenever and wherever needed. It measures body fat, skeletal muscle mass, body mass index (BMI), basal metabolic rate (BMR), heart rate, and body water all at once. This tracker aids in setting attainable fitness goals and tracking progress, which helps maintain motivation and improve health outcomes. Tracking your body’s reactions is crucial for individuals following specific fitness or diet plans. With its portability, the Fitrus Plus 3.0 easily incorporates health monitoring into daily routines, thanks to the additional features of the third generation.

Designer: ONESOFTDIGM CO., LTD.

Click Here to Buy Now: $149 $249 ($100 off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $80,000.

Over 15+ Types of Body Data Analysis

These data are obtained from a physical tracker combined with intelligent software. The new Fitrus Plus 3.0 features a significant improvement in battery life, extending from 4-5 days on the Fitrus Plus 2.0 to 20 days. The charging port has been upgraded from Micro 5-pin to USB Type-C. A full charge takes 3 hours. The device features a 1.3” OLED display with a resolution of 128 x 64 pixels. This makes it easy to read data such as body composition, skin temperature, object temperature, heart rate, stress index, and battery life.

Hold the four electrodes with your thumbs and index fingers, stretch your arms forward. Keeping your elbows straight, and avoid touching your hands together. Wait until the results appears!

The new design is as smooth and user-friendly as the software that powers it. The updated health tracking functions, including protein, mineral, and swelling indexes, make the upgrade from the previous generation worthwhile. These additions allow for a more comprehensive health analysis. Gaining insights into your body’s changes is valuable. However, further benefits can be derived, such as receiving personalized health recommendations for meal plans and workout routines. These are based on the collected and analyzed data. As our bodies change over time, whether we notice it or not, these personalized recommendations continue to adapt, enabling you to achieve your best self.

Like the temperature sensor in the Google Pixel 8, an IR sensor can be used to measure skin temperature without contact. It instantly displays the temperature on the OLED screen, eliminating the need for a smartphone. This device is especially useful for parents with young children, as it can also measure the temperature of soup or milk to prevent burns. Measuring 4.96 inches long, 0.54 inches thick, and 1.34 inches wide, and weighing just 1.41 ounces, the Fitrus Plus 3.0 champions portability. Using the Fitrus is straightforward – hold the four electrodes with your thumbs and index fingers, then extend your arms forward. Ensure your elbows are straight and your hands are not touching. Maintain a straight posture and the results will display. The device automatically turns off after taking the measurement, which adds convenience as you don’t need to turn it off manually.

The Fitrus Plus 3.0 revolutionizes personal health tracking by combining portability with a rich array of health metrics, making it an essential tool for anyone committed to maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle. Its extended 20-day battery life, user-friendly USB Type-C charging, and clear OLED display ensure that users can access detailed insights into their body composition, heart rate, and more anytime and anywhere. With its enhanced features and the ability to provide personalized health recommendations, the Fitrus Plus 3.0 not only tracks health data but also helps users achieve their fitness goals with greater precision and motivation.

The Fitrus Plus 3.0 requires no subscriptions or additional payments. The application for iOS and Android is free, and the company has stated that they have no plans to implement a subscription fee in the future.

Click Here to Buy Now: $149 $249 ($100 off). Hurry, only a few left! Raised over $80,000.

The post This Portable Body Composition Tracker Revolutionizes Fitness and Health Monitoring first appeared on Yanko Design.

How To Design For Wellness In Interior Design

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Wellness design’ is on the rise, focusing on prioritizing people’s health in the design process by considering factors like lighting, air quality, and connections to nature. As interior design significantly affects mental health, it should also support our health and well-being. Note that incorporating wellness into interior spaces is fundamental to fostering successful and healthy lifestyles where physical, emotional, and aesthetic aspects should be considered, leveraging sensory effects. Wellness entails utilizing sustainable natural materials, optimizing natural light and airflow, judiciously employing artificial lighting, designing layouts for social interaction and private contemplation, enhancing existing pieces through upcycling, and manipulating color to influence mood.

Image courtesy of: wirestock

This holistic approach extends beyond interiors, encompassing the broader environment through mindful material sourcing. Key strategies include optimizing natural light and airflow, fostering tranquil private areas with a connection to nature, employing natural materials, and organizing space effectively for seamless functionality. These considerations contribute to creating environments conducive to overall wellness. Here are key factors to take into account when incorporating wellness into interior design.

Natural Light and Ventilation

Image courtesy of: bialasiewicz

As natural light significantly influences circadian rhythms and boosts serotonin levels, it is important to prioritize maximizing natural light in the interior spaces to support a healthy sleep cycle. Wellness architecture prioritizes healthy airflow and toxin elimination, achieved by allowing rooms to breathe and incorporating features like large windows, high ceilings, and vents. Plants are also essential for cleaning the atmosphere, making greenery a must-have for any space.

Artificial Lighting

Image courtesy of: hemul75

Light plays an important role in wellness design, significantly impacting our daily lives by regulating our wakefulness and sleep cycles. This influence stems from our circadian rhythm, a self-regulatory system. Harsh light disrupts our sleep-wake cycle, while low light levels can induce fatigue.

Thermal Comfort

Image courtesy of: bialasiewicz

As thermal comfort is affected by air movement, temperature, humidity, and human behavior, the building should be oriented according to the position of the sun. Strategic placement of windows, treatments, overhangs, and landscaping can enhance the thermal comfort of your home.

A Clutter-free Space

Image courtesy of: dit26978

A cluttered environment tends to drain our energy and impact our mood negatively. When thinking about interior design and mental health, the best thing is to have a functional layout that is easy to organize and tidy up. Optimize your space with fluid, flexible organization to minimize stress. Conceal necessary but unattractive items while displaying meaningful décor. Close off messy areas behind doors for visual clarity and peace of mind. Invest in furniture pieces that suit your needs or are multifunctional so that they take up less space.

Biophilic Design

Image courtesy of: IrynaKhabliuk

The rise of biophilic interior design taps into nature’s mood-boosting power, integrating these principles for functional and aesthetically pleasing spaces that promote mental health. Scientifically supported benefits of nature, such as stress reduction and improved health, emphasize the importance of incorporating plants and natural elements into interiors. These additions not only enhance air quality but also elevate mood and reduce anxiety. Simple touches like hanging baskets or kitchen herb gardens can effortlessly infuse color and charm into living spaces.

Color and Mood

Image courtesy of: FollowTheFlowStudio

Color significantly influences a room’s mood and emotions where lighter colors create an airy, spacious feel, while darker tones offer intimacy. Neutrals like black, gray, white, and brown balance passive and active colors. Active hues like yellow and pink stimulate creativity, while passive ones like blue and green promote calmness. Personal preferences should guide color choices, as emotional responses vary. Color plays a significant role in shaping mood, impacting the emotional well-being of the end user. Tailoring the color palette to suit the primary function of each room enhances the space’s intended purpose.

Natural Materials

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To reduce the risk of off-gassing from synthetic fibers in fabrics and paints, avoid manmade materials in your home. Opt for essential oils instead of artificial fresheners to improve air quality. Furnish with natural materials like wood, organic cotton, organic linen, and wool for healthier living spaces. Sustainable organic materials are essential, extending beyond transparency in sourcing to encompass waste reduction, renewability, energy efficiency, and non-toxicity. Note that treated materials, such as chemically stained wood, chemically sealed tiles, flooring with formaldehyde, and fire-retardant fabrics, can release harmful compounds into the air, often unnoticed.

Sleep Well

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Good sleep forms an important component of wellness and rejuvenation. Additionally, comfort is essential in wellness-focused interior design, with ergonomics ensuring user-friendliness. It encompasses psychological, physiological, and anatomical comfort, alongside efficiency and aesthetic appeal. Neglecting any of these elements renders the space ergonomically incomplete.

Designer: Hastens Beds

Find time to relax and get a good night’s sleep on an ergonomic mattress. Hästens beds epitomize the use of premium natural materials, sustainably and ethically sourced, ensuring their potential for future reuse. Renowned for its exceptional properties, horsehair provides unparalleled support and pliability, augmented by its innate ventilation system. Independently tested for allergens, horsehair remains hypoallergenic, boasting natural antibacterial qualities for a hygienic sleep environment. Processed meticulously since the 1800s, horsehair undergoes rigorous cleaning and disinfection, resulting in a pristine, resilient filling material.

Complementing horsehair, soft cotton facilitates airflow, promoting quicker sleep onset and deeper rest. In contrast, non-porous materials lack ventilation, fostering moisture retention and bed mite proliferation. Selectively sourced and meticulously sorted, horsehair variants ensure consistent quality across all products. Additionally, wool and flax are utilized for temperature regulation, static dissipation, and sound absorption, culminating in a harmonious blend of comfort and performance. Crafted with precision, spring systems, including pocket and Bonnell spiral designs, offer tailored support and longevity, backed by a 25-year warranty.

Sustainability

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Having sustainability as a wellness focus in the home involves incorporating eco-friendly materials such as linoleum, floral leather, and cork into furniture, as well as utilizing vintage pieces. Additionally, integrating cutting-edge technology helps optimize energy consumption within the spaces. By employing computer simulations to track the sun’s trajectory, one can accurately determine the necessary cooling and heating requirements for each area. Choose green products free of VOCs and harmful chemicals to optimize a healthy environment. Consider materials like wool, stone, bamboo, cork, hempcrete, clay, and other bio-based options. Recycled steel and plastic are great for architecture and furniture design. Buying secondhand items is an effective way to reduce your footprint.

Lighting

Image courtesy of: LightFieldStudios

Light is increasingly pivotal in home design, with spaces crafted around natural light sources and smart lighting systems mimicking daylight. Natural light is central to the discussion, offering significant health and wellness benefits by enhancing productivity, alertness, and mood. It not only influences our day-night rhythm but also impacts our vitamin D balance crucial for bone health. By strategically employing lighting and leveraging cutting-edge technology, we create adaptable lighting schemes that render spaces both versatile and aesthetically pleasing. Customizing lighting to suit each room’s purpose helps regulate mood and enhance productivity. Additionally, minimizing exposure to blue light by reducing screen time before bedtime promotes improved sleep quality and reduces anxiety levels.

Image courtesy of: hemul75

Wellness in design is increasingly prominent across architecture, furniture, and interiors, driven by a growing public awareness. The pandemic has accelerated this trend as people reassess their lifestyles and prioritize mental and physical health. With more time spent at home, there’s a heightened focus on adapting living spaces to accommodate remote work and other needs.

The post How To Design For Wellness In Interior Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dr. Garmin will see you now

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There’s a reason smartwatches haven’t replaced clinically validated gear when you visit the hospital — accuracy and reliability are paramount when the data informs medical procedures. Even so, researchers are looking for ways in which these devices can be meaningfully used in a clinical setting. One project in the UK has explored if a Garmin Venu 2 and dedicated companion app could be used to free up doctors and nurses, six minutes at a time.

The Six Minute Walk Test (6MWT) is used to diagnose and monitor a number of cardiovascular maladies. This includes conditions like Pulmonary Hypertension that, if left untreated, are eventually fatal. “[The test has been] a cornerstone of hospital practice and clinical trials for decades all around the world as [...] a marker of how well the heart and lungs are working,” project leader Dr. Joseph Newman told Engadget. While a change in a blood test marker might be clinically relevant, he said “it’s probably more important to someone that they can walk to the shop and back.” 

The test requires a patient walk on a flat, hard surface for six minutes straight, which stresses the heart enough to measure its capacity. A professional tests the patient’s heart rate and blood oxygen levels at the start and end. While it’s simple and reliable, "it’s not perfect,” according to Dr. Newman. “This is why we’ve looked to change it in two important ways," he said, "can we make it shorter [...] and digitize it for remote use?"

After all, six minutes is a lifetime in a clinical setting, and patients dislike having to schlep all the way to their hospital just to walk up and down a corridor. It’s why Newman and Lucy Robertson — both researchers at the Royal Papworth Hospital in Cambridge — began looking for ways to revolutionize the test. They wanted to see if the test could be shortened to a single minute, and also if it could be carried out by a patient at home using a Venu 2. 

The watch was connected to a secure and dedicated clinical trial platform built by Aparito – a Wrexham-based developer – for testing. This was then sent out to patients who were instructed to wear the watch and walk outdoors to complete their own tests. “They’re asked to walk on flat, even, dry, relatively straight roads rather than in laps or circuits,” Dr. Newman said, with patients walking at their own natural pace.

“We carried out a product appraisal early on in the research process and were open-minded as to the brand or model,” said Dr. Newman. “Garmin came out on top for a few reasons; we can access raw data as well as Garmin’s algorithmically-derived variables,” he said. Because the research was being funded by a charity, the British Heart Foundation, the watch had to offer good value for money. It helped that Garmin, with its established health research division, gave the team “confidence in the accuracy of the sensors,” not to mention the fact that Aparito feels that “the Garmin SDK is relatively easy to work with,” he added. 

But while Garmin is in use right now, there’s no reason this setup couldn’t eventually work with a number of other brands. “As long as the technology works, it’s accurate, reliable and patients accept it, then we’re not tied to any brand,” he said.

There are several benefits in giving patients the ability to run the tests at home: it’s more representative of the demands of their actual life, and patients can retake the test at regular intervals, making it easier to track that person’s health over time. “We can see real value in providing patients with pulmonary hypertension with an app and smartwatch to monitor their progress,” Dr. Newman said. “It’s unlikely to ever fully replace the need for in-person hospital reviews, but it will likely reduce their frequency.”

The results of the study right now suggest cutting the test to one minute has no detrimental effect on its outcome or accuracy, and that patients are far more likely to run the test regularly if they’re able to do so at home. “It’s likely that the upfront costs of wearables [to a hospital] may be offset by the longer term reduction in hospital visits,” Dr. Newman said. If that turns out to be right, it means clinicians can better focus their time and efforts where their expertise is more valuable.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/dr-garmin-will-see-you-now-160013340.html?src=rss