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Keeping that Summer Glow: High-Tech Home Health Gizmos
by Yvonne Seng for Digital Living Today

Summer's playing itself out. You've spent a couple of delicious weeks chillin' with friends and family, and you've digitalized it, camcorded it, and even stored a few Kodak moments in the ol' wetware for retrieval on those long winter nights. You've also made that summertime vow -- when you get back home, you're gonna take better care of yourself, right? Well, to help you keep your promise, we've found some high tech personal health gadgets to consider.




Remember how peacefully you slept at the beach, the health spa, or at grandma's cottage in the woods? With Sharper Image Design's Ultra Heart and Sound Cocoon ($129.95 at The Sharper Image), you can take those sounds back to the office or bedroom and prolong that feeling of peace. The ten natural sound environments include a comforting heartbeat that'll turn your cubicle during that after-hours snooze into the ultimate womb-room.


If you like playing with trippy brain toys, slip on the Lightscape Relaxation System for a dreamy sound and light show ($149.95 from The Sharper Image). This system really is the ultimate one-person rave machine. A pair of cool-looking shades with headphones and a compact control unit surround you with light, color, and motion keyed to the five nature sound programs that come with it. Better yet, plug it into a portable CD player and translate your favorite grooves into a personalized sound and light show.


DLT also tried Brookstone's Tranquil Moments II Deluxe Sound System ($120 at Brookstone), an all-digital sound conditioner that brings chirping birds, rainfall, and ocean waves to your pillow. A nice feature is the add-on sound cards that fit any of their Tranquil Moments line. If you're using this one for a bedside lullaby, however, we suggest you select the programs carefully. The sound of screeching gulls could give you Hitchcockian nightmares.


Okay, now that we have your head together, let's get to work on that bod. We all know that the scales lie and what really counts is body fat. With the Body Fat Monitor and Scale ($89.95 at InteliHealth) you can have your cake and measure it too. This sleek gizmo uses a low energy signal to measure body composition with 99% accuracy, and provides you with an indicator for risks of high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Hammacher Schlemmer's Body Fat Monitor ($149.95 at Hammacher Schlemmer) allows you to store data for up to four people. They validated measurements with traditional skinfold tests and hydrostatic weighing and rated this device one of their best.


And while we've got your heart racing, Conair () carries a range of portable blood pressure testers that'll let you play doctor whenever the mood strikes. Their compact wrist model slips over your arm and automatically inflates to the correct level for systolic and diastolic readings. It also has 29 memory positions to record and display your blood pressure history. Hammacher Schlemmer has an accurate and user-friendly monitor ($149.95) that gives both graphic and numeric display as well as extended memory with date and time stamp. Hammacher Schlemmer's comes with an alarm clock so you can check yourself out first thing in the morning. And if you're not sure you still have a pulse, IGIA has a convenient finger-ring monitor ($69.99 at IGIA; see picture below) that gives you pulse and heartbeat as well as blood pressure.


Hopefully, you won't be relying on these or any other gizmos to keep that healthy summer physique-- like wearing a jogging suit on the couch, a fancy gadget won't keep you fit, that takes effort on your part. But there are all sorts of high-tech health tools out there that can assist you with the feedback and the relaxation you need to help keep you in shape. Given the fact that most of us spend our days with our eyeballs glued to the glass screen you're peering through right now, we need all the help we can get.

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