There’s no question we’ve become a nation of cell phone addicts: More than half of American smartphone owners would rather give up caffeine for a week than part with their mobile devices, according to a recent national survey. Fortunately, that dependency might actually help us kick a less healthy one: smoking. In a recent analysis of five studies, investigators writing in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews concluded that interventions using text messages often doubled a person’s odds of successfully kicking cigarettes. These healthy text interventions included daily quitting tips, motivational messages, and even short video clips. Of the study participants, 9% of those who relied on text messaging programs were smoke-free after six months, compared to 5% of those who didn’t. The potential health benefits of smartphones don’t stop with smoking: Research has also indicated that smartphone apps and programs can help us achieve other valuable wellness goals. We’ve rounded up a few of the most promising possible perks of a healthy cellphone intervention: Keeping Fit: Endomondo Starting your day with some exercise is always a good call, and research shows that working out with a pal makes you more likely to keep at it. But what if your ideal gym buddy lives in LA and you’re in NYC? This fitness app lets you challenge far-away friends, even send them pep talks in real time. Plus, it tracks your distance, speed, and calories. Think of it as a way to engage in some healthy competition with your bi-coastal bestie. (Available for iPhone and Android, free) Eating Easy: MyFitnessPal You’ve heard it before: Calorie counting is a vital part of weight loss. But who wants to drag a notebook around all day to jot down each bite? MyFitnessPal takes the number crunching out of your healthy eating equation. Enter your weight loss goal, and then click on what you eat throughout the day (pick from 1,100,000 foods), and the app keeps a running tab. (Available for iPhone and Android, free) Hitting The Hay: Relax and Sleep Sometimes, a little bit of white noise can be all you need to catch some zzz’s. Now you can turn your phone into a white noise machine with the Relax and Sleep app. Choose from more than fifty ambient sounds, such as loons on the lake, the hum of an air conditioner, or the sound of a beating heart, and get ready to drift off to dreamland. (Available for Android, free) More from Prevention: How Bad Are Your Health Vices? Questions? Comments? Contact Prevention’s News Team!
