Transformative Technology: Innovations for Healthy Living

Homes have been evolving beyond their traditional roles for decades. More recently, thanks to flexible working arrangements becoming the norm, the pursuit of health within the home is enjoying greater focus. Contemporary technologies now extend past basic utility, integrating seamlessly into our living spaces to enhance our mental and physical health.

At WLLW, we prioritize wellbeing and sustainability in our product recommendations. The market is saturated with smart technology for every conceivable domestic application. However, in a market where technology is rapidly superseded by the next innovation, we aim to spotlight items that contribute real health benefits, rather than those that merely add convenience.

Here are five curated tech options for your consideration, perfect for your next home refurbishment or that can easily be plugged into existing spaces.

The Smart Home

An essential feature of home wellness technology is its ability to create a harmonious balance, an intelligent network where light, air and temperature respond in sync with the inhabitants' biometric rhythms, optimizing conditions for health and wellness. Crestron, known for its minimal interfaces and easy-to-program systems, covers everything from smart thermostats, lighting and shading controls, water and air filtration to security. It works with biometric sensors to automatically adjust environments or provide notifications to ensure your living space is primed for an optimal night's sleep. Alternatively, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium redefines home climate management by intuitively adjusting to your body temperature and presence, coupled with an air quality monitor for a healthier living environment. This energy-efficient device integrates with major smart-home systems such as Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings for streamlined control and comfort.

Kitchen Gardens

Hydroponics, the soil-less cultivation method using mineral nutrient solutions in water, enables the growth of a wide variety of plants, from herbs and leafy greens to cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes. This method facilitates a kitchen garden to thrive year-round, producing fresh, toxin-free produce. The Natufia Smart Kitchen Garden integrates seamlessly into any kitchen space, akin to an American fridge, and contributes to sustainability with its minimal energy and water usage, courtesy of LED technology. Options range from sophisticated, chef-designed hydroponic systems managing 32 plants simultaneously to the user-friendly Automated Indoor Garden by AVA Byte, which coordinates with smart home devices and leverages AI to optimize growth conditions. Hydroponics offers a healthier lifestyle with access to fresher, more nutrient-rich food right at your fingertips.

Customizable Hydrotherapy Sessions

The therapeutic properties of water are harnessed in the personalized experiences offered by hydrotherapy tubs and showers. Systems like Kohler's DTV+ optimize water's healing effects, allowing users to adjust temperature and pressure for customized therapy sessions. Research suggests that hydrotherapy can improve circulation, relax muscles and reduce stress, underscoring its multifaceted benefits for mental and physical health.

The Power of Light

Light’s curative role in elevating mood and promoting mental health has been substantiated by Eastman et al.'s research into the treatment of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) with their studies confirming that light can induce beneficial chemical changes in the brain. Devices like Lumie's 'Halo', which emits an impressive 10,000 lumens, and the Skyview Wellness Table Lamp are designed to mimic the natural rhythm of daylight. By doing so, they help regulate the body's internal clock, which is essential for improving sleep, mood and energy levels. This becomes particularly vital in regions with reduced natural sunlight, where the therapeutic application of light ensures individuals have access to the full spectrum needed to stay alert throughout the day and relax in the evening.

Infrared and Red Light Therapies

The thermal wellness spectrum encompasses a variety of technologies, from the enveloping warmth of full-spectrum, in-home use infrared saunas by leading brands like Klafs, the experiential Arc Sauna designed by product design company Whipsaw and wellness specialist Ancient Ritual, to portable alternatives such as Higherdose's infrared sauna blankets. Infrared saunas are renowned for their detoxifying and relaxing capabilities, with cardiovascular benefits noted in research published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings (Tei et al., 2001). Differing from infrared's deep heat, studies show that red light therapy, provided by devices such as Joovv’s Elite 3, works at a cellular level, offering improvements to muscle recovery.

Personalized Tech

Technology is evolving rapidly, inside and outside the home. What we see right now is a prelude to a more automated future; a future where technology blends into the background and reappears before we know we need it, thanks to artificial intelligence and sensor advancements. From built-in voice assistants to dimmable panels and lights that are pre-programmed to boost our wellbeing, the ongoing integration of technology in residential spaces is not only reshaping our interaction with our living environments but is also setting the stage for a new era characterized by greater comfort, efficiency and personalization.

Disclaimer: This list features items from various companies. WLLW does not receive any payment for recommendations. Opinions are based purely on independent research and personal experience.

Ancient Ritual is now accepting reservations for the infrared Arc Sauna, with shipping set to commence in the Summer of 2024.