Navigating the Apple Watch Health Features: A Beginner's Guide

It's January, the start of a new year! If you're looking to improve your daily routine and health regime this year then look no further than your Apple Watch. It likely comes as no surprise but that clever device on your wrist is capable of some pretty impressive health and fitness monitoring, essentially giving you a personal trainer on your wrist. In this blog, we'll walk you through some of the amazing features and health-centric capabilities of your Apple Watch and hopefully help you unlock the full fitness potential.

1. Heart Rate Monitoring: Your Health at a Glance

One of the standout features of the Apple Watch is its ability to monitor your heart rate. Apple Watches have always featured a heart monitoring system ever since the Series 1 was released in 2015, allowing users to keep tabs on their heart rate and track any changes or abnormalities. Apple have received countless messages from people telling them how this simple little feature has changed or saved their life.

Open the Heart Rate app on your device to track your beats per minute and gain insights into your cardiovascular health. Set notifications to alert you if your heart rate goes above or below a certain threshold, giving you a heads up on potential health concerns. You can also view your resting, walking, breathe, workout, and recovery rates throughout the day. This simple feature is highly useful for keeping track of your heart and noticing any changes early.

2. Activity Tracking: Motivation at Your Fingertips

Get moving and stay motivated with the Apple Watch's Activity app. This feature allows you to set personal goals for daily movement, exercise, and standing time. This app features three rings that the user has to complete or "close" each day, this is done by completing the activity for each ring: Move, Exercise and Stand. The Apple Watch will also send the user notifications and reminders throughout the day, encouraging them to complete their rings.

These three simple activities help to keep the user active throughout their day, ensuring that they get some form of activity and movement in their daily routine. This feature is simple but effective, it doesn't feel as daunting as a full workout and can even feel quite fun. It's not an impossible task and can be incorporated into your daily routine, allowing you to go about your day while still maintaining an active lifestyle, and the Apple Watch will celebrate your achievements, keeping you motivated. A healthier you is just a few taps away!

3. Workout App: Tailored Fitness Experiences

Whether you're into running, cycling, yoga, or a host of other activities, the Workout app on your Apple Watch has you covered. It features a wide plethora of activities to choose from including running, walking, dog walking, cycling, Tai Chi, pilates and more! Simply select your preferred exercise, set goals, and let the watch guide you through your session. Real-time metrics and post-workout summaries will help you fine-tune your routine for optimal results.

The app interface is simple, friendly and super easy to use. There are endless activities to choose from, so there are plenty of new things for you to try, and your Apple Watch will be tracking every step of them!

4. ECG and Blood Oxygen Monitoring: Advanced Health Insights

Available since the Apple Watch Series 4, the heart rate and ECG monitoring is a vital tool in helping to keep track of your heart health, offering a deeper dive into your health metrics when compared to the heart monitoring app.

Explore the ECG and Blood Oxygen apps on your Apple Watch Series 4 and later models. Conduct an electrocardiogram right from your wrist and track your blood oxygen levels. These features provide valuable insights into your heart health and overall well-being. There are countless stories online from Apple Watch users who state that this feature has saved their life by detecting an irregular heartbeat or abnormality early, alerting them that something was wrong and allowing them to get to a medical professional.

5. Sleep Tracking: Rest Easy, Track Better

Your Apple Watch can also monitor your sleep patterns, helping you understand your nighttime habits. Enable Sleep Mode, and the watch will track your sleep duration and quality, offering insights to improve your sleep hygiene. Throughout the night, your Apple Watch discreetly monitors your movements and uses them to analyse your sleep duration and quality. Wake up in the morning to a detailed summary of your night's rest, including the time you spent in bed, time asleep, and the quality of your sleep based on factors like restlessness and disturbances.

The wind down feature will help to create a relaxing bedtime routine, with customisable preferences for the user. The Apple Watch will gently guide you into a relaxed state of calm as sleep approaches. This includes soothing sounds, background ambient noises or gentle reminders to start winding down for the night. The Apple Watch takes into account various factors that can impact your sleep, such as caffeine intake and screen time before bedtime. By recognising patterns and their effects on your sleep, you can make lifestyle adjustments to promote better sleep hygiene.

6. Emergency SOS

While it may not exactly fall under the same category as sleep tracking or workout planning, The Apple Watch's emergency SOS features are just as, if not more important to your health. In addition to its sleek design and cutting-edge technology, the Apple Watch serves as a 24/7 guardian on your wrist. Designed to provide swift assistance in times of need, this feature can be a crucial lifeline in various situations.

In the face of an emergency, every second counts. Apple Watch's Emergency SOS feature offers a straightforward and rapid way to call for help. By pressing and holding the side button, you can initiate an emergency call. When you make an emergency call using your Apple Watch, it automatically shares your precise location with the emergency services. This can be a critical factor, especially in situations where time is of the essence. The ability to relay your location information ensures that help reaches you as quickly as possible.

Possibly one of the most incredible and life-saving developments in Apple Watch technology and features came long with the Apple Watch Series 4: Fall Detection. There are and endless number of stories and accounts from people online whose lives have quite literally been saved from this amazing feature. From being stuck in a car wreck, to falling unconscious while home alone, the stories are in no short supply. If the watch detects a hard fall, it initiates an alert, allowing you to quickly call for help or dismiss the alert if it was a false alarm. If you remain unresponsive after the fall, the watch can automatically contact emergency services and share your location.

With its array of health-centric features, the Apple Watch goes beyond being a stylish accessory; it's your personal health companion, and there with you every step. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast or someone looking to take charge of their well-being, exploring these features will undoubtedly enhance your Apple Watch experience. Do you own an Apple Watch? What's your favourite health-centric feature? Let us know in the comments below!