Apple released watchOS 10 on September 18, which introduced a new feature in the Mindfulness app that allows users to log their feelings and moods directly on their Apple Watch. This feature is available for users with an Apple Watch Series 4 or a newer model. In this article, we will explore how to use this feature and view the mood logs on your Apple Watch.
To log your mood, open the Mindfulness app on your Apple Watch and tap on “State of Mind.” Then, select “Get Started” to begin the logging process. From there, you have two options to choose from – “momentary emotion” or “daily mood.” If you want to log how you feel at a specific moment, choose “momentary emotion.” If you want to record your overall mood for the day, select “daily mood.”
Using the watch’s Digital Crown, you can scroll through seven abstract images that represent different emotional valences, ranging from “very pleasant” to “very unpleasant.” Choose the image that best matches your current mood. After selecting an emotion, you can provide more details about your feelings by selecting options from a drop-down menu. This allows you to specify what factors are influencing your mood.
Now, let’s explore how you can view your mood logs. Over time, you can keep track of your daily logging activity in the Health app on your paired iPhone. To do this, open the Health app and click on “State of Mind.” Then, select “Show in Charts.” This will display the type of entries for daily moods or momentary emotions.
In addition to viewing your mood entries, you also have the option to see lifestyle factors associated with these entries. This information can help you identify correlations between your moods and variables such as time spent in the sun, sleep trends, and exercise habits.
Moreover, the Health app now provides specific assessments for depression and anxiety. This enables you to monitor your mental well-being more comprehensively. If you ever need to share your logs with a medical professional, you can export PDFs of your personal health reports. Simply open the Health app and click on the “Sharing” tab at the bottom of the screen. From there, choose to “Share with someone” or “Share with your doctor.” This feature allows you to securely share your health data with healthcare providers and keep them informed about your mental health status.
Furthermore, the Health app allows you to connect with specific hospital systems to access your clinical records. For example, if you were a patient at “Green Primary Care” in Huntsville, Alabama, you can directly connect to the patient portal and gain secure access to your health records. This integration of mental health logs and clinical records can provide a more comprehensive picture of your mental health status for your healthcare team.
In conclusion, the introduction of mood logging in watchOS 10 provides Apple Watch users with a convenient way to track their emotions and overall well-being. By keeping a record of daily moods and utilizing the health insights provided by the Health app, users can gain a better understanding of the factors affecting their mental health. This feature can be particularly helpful when collaborating with healthcare professionals to address mental health concerns.
