Simple Tools to Support and Track Your Health at Home

Whether you’re living with a chronic condition or simply want to stay proactive about your wellness, having the right tools at your fingertips can make all the difference. From medical devices to digital apps and wellness journals, keep reading to learn how to build your own at-home health toolkit.

Medical Aids for Self-Monitoring

Monitoring your health at home starts with the right medical aids. These tools help you monitor vital signs and can help simplify chronic illness management. You don’t necessarily need to have all of these items in your personal health toolkit, but having them on hand when needed can be helpful.

• Blood pressure monitor: If you have high blood pressure or are at risk of developing it, a home blood pressure monitor can help you get timely, accurate readings, enabling you to manage your heart health effectively.
• Digital thermometer: A thermometer is a must-have for quick and reliable temperature checks to monitor fevers and detect infections early.
• Glucose monitor: If you or a family member has diabetes, having a glucose monitor is essential. It provides real-time data to help you track your condition.
• Pulse oximeter: Measuring your oxygen saturation and heart rate can help detect potential respiratory issues. This tool is especially useful for people recovering from illness or those with respiratory conditions such as asthma, COPD or sleep apnea.
• Scale: Whether you’re on a fitness journey or managing chronic conditions, monitoring your weight can help you stay on track and detect any sudden changes that could signal potential health concerns. Smart scales can offer additional insights, like body fat percentage, heart rate and muscle mass, but traditional scales are still just as effective for weight management.

Talk to your primary care provider to see which of these tools they’d recommend for helping you support your health from home.

Using Apps and Wearables as Digital Aids

Technology makes tracking your health easier than ever. From fitness to mental wellness, these digital aids can help you stay organized and motivated.

• Fitness tracking wearables: Watches, rings and bands from a variety of brands make it easy to track your steps, heart rate, sleep and more.
• Meal tracking apps: Whether you’re on a weight-loss journey, tracking your nutrients or managing a chronic illness, meal tracking apps allow you to have a clear picture of how the foods you eat affect your health.
• Mental health apps: Whether you’re looking for guided meditations, stress relief tactics and coping mechanisms or virtual therapy, there’s an app available.
• The AdventHealth app: With the free AdventHealth app, you can schedule convenient, in-person or virtual appointments with a primary care provider or specialist, review lab work results, talk to a Care Advocate and more.
• The AdventHealth WholeYou app: This comprehensive app is packed with content, tools and resources to support your whole health. You’ll have access to virtual coaching, including unlimited coach messaging, vision planning and goal setting resources, connection to care services and more. You can even try it risk-free for 30 days.

While some of these tools can be costly, there are plenty of options that are either free or budget-friendly. The key is choosing only what fits your lifestyle best — because supporting your health doesn’t mean investing in unnecessary devices or subscriptions.

Journals, Checklists and Other Resources

Sometimes, the simplest tool can be the most powerful. A pen, a notebook, a printed checklist on the fridge — these everyday items can help you slow down, reflect and stay organized when it comes to supporting your health.

Keeping a health journal is more than just writing things down — it’s about creating space to listen to your body. Whether you’re tracking symptoms, noting how certain foods make you feel or reflecting on your mood, journaling helps you notice patterns and progress over time. For people managing chronic conditions, journaling is a helpful way to prepare for doctor visits, remember questions you want to ask and document how treatments are working. And if you aren’t a pen and paper type of person, journaling in your notes app on your cell phone can be just as beneficial.

When you’ve got a busy day ahead of you, it can be easy to push healthy habits to the back burner. Whether it’s remembering to take medications, drink enough water, stretch or schedule follow-up appointments, having a checklist as a visual reminder can reduce stress and help you stay consistent.

Creating Your Personalized Toolkit

Every person’s health journey is unique, so we encourage you to customize your toolkit based on your needs:

• If you’re managing a chronic illness, you may want to prioritize medical devices and symptom trackers.
• If you’re focused on increasing your physical activity and fitness levels, you can lean into wearable fitness technology and nutrition apps.
• If you need mental clarity, you may find journaling, mindfulness apps and virtual therapy helpful.

No matter where you are on your journey to better health, remember that small steps can make a positive, lasting impact.

A Lifetime of Whole-Person Health

At AdventHealth, your whole health is our highest priority, and our experts are dedicated to helping you feel your best. Learn how we’ll support your whole health through wellness care services or find a primary care provider to be by your side throughout your health journey.