As an academic that has researched wearables for a number of years, I've enjoyed the privilege of trialling a wide array of wearable devices Among them, the Oura ring has remarkably stood out, imprinting a positive shift in my life and routines. I have been collecting data from the Oura ring for 7 years now and it has revealed a huge amount of amazingly useful information about about my personal sleep data. Through a meticulous process of experimentation and iterative adjustments – all informed by the rich tapestry of data from the Oura ring – I have uncovered various factors that elevate the quality of my sleep. Over the years, the data has nudged me towards better sleep habits which has resulted in a multitude of benefits. These include more energy, better productivity and better overall mood. The Oura ring has not merely been a tool, it has been an enlightening companion, guiding me towards a more energetic, productive, and better version of myself!
I now track my cardio using the Polar H10 Heart Rate Monitor Chest Strap. I can efficiently spend all of my time doing cardio in the specific heart-rate zones that I am targeting. I spend 80% of my cardio in Zone 2 and 20% in Zone 5 - both of which I am able to track in real-time using the app that connects to the chest strap via Bluetooth. I've been using this for 2 months and can already see a small difference in my resting heart rate (tracked via the apple watch) and my VO2 max has gone up from 46 to 48.
The Healthmetryx Clarinet is a patent-pending, wearable, exhaled-breath data collection device that will revolutionize respiratory self-monitoring, remote patient monitoring, and early detection for chronic respiratory diseases. The Clarinet, via the data it collects, indicates that an individual presents certain levels of respiratory, spirometric, and oximetric wellness and/or is inhaling and exhaling a certain level of compounds from their environment. The Clarinet: Is easy-to-use: Users inhale and exhale through the mask, the device sensors are activated, the data is collected, and transmitted to the app. Collects 6 Unique Datasets: O2, CO2, chemical/VOC, spirometry data, pulse, & oximeter data. Is Small & Portable: Takes readings anywhere in real-time. Users gain peace-of-mind, independence, and self-reliance by being able to self-monitor their respiratory health remotely. That saves them time and money, relieves stress and anxiety, and delivers happiness and well-being.
I've found a simple, effective way to enhance my daily routine by combining red light therapy and meditation. In a quiet corner of my room, I positioned a red light panel and spend a few minutes there each morning, meditating under the light. The red light potentially aids my physical recovery and skin health, while meditation helps me start the day with a clear mind. It's a straightforward practice that integrates mental and physical wellness without much effort or time, and I've noticed it makes a genuine difference in my day. I smile a lot more throughout the day!
Garmin smartwatch Forerunner 255S When I first thought about getting a Garmin smartwatch, I was a little bit hesitant due to the cost. Looking back now, it was one of the best decisions I've made for my running training, well-being and productivity. First, one of the great features for me is the morning alarm. Unlike traditional noisy alarms, it wakes me gently, which sets a positive tone for a productive day ahead. Moreover, the watch has significantly improved my health on various fronts. It diligently tracks my sleep patterns, heart rate, stress levels, and daily steps and even monitors my "body battery" to gauge my energy levels. This data helps me make informed choices about my daily activities and, most importantly, when to give myself a rest. What I also absolutely love about my Garmin watches is the planning of my workouts and running routines. The watch tailors exercise plans based on my performance and current training goals, ensuring that every session is effective.
As an NHS GP, I often am sat at my desk all day and have to thus rely on effective gym workouts in order to keep fit and maintain my well being. In order to get the most out of my weight lifting workouts, I have beta-tested a really cool and new device called 'Stance'. Stance is a wearable device that is able to track my rating of perceived exertion (RPE) that I put into my reps when weightlifting, and using state-of-the-art AI algorithms, it is able to advise me on whether to increase/decrease the weight/reps to achieve my fitness goals. Research indicates that we can indeed put 'too much' effort into lifting weights which may not provide an actual benefit in terms of muscle strengthening, but instead exhausts us and puts us at risk of injury. This is where Stance comes in and it has been a game changer! Strength training has been linked to a plethora of health benefits including increasing bone density and reducing blood pressure so I highly encourage my patients to practise it.
A smart pill dispenser has made a positive impact on my well-being and productivity. It ensures timely medication intake by sending reminders and tracking dosages. For example, it has helped me stay on track with my daily medication schedule, preventing missed doses and incorrect dosages. This has significantly improved my health by ensuring consistent and accurate medication intake. With improved adherence, I have experienced better symptom management and overall health outcomes. Moreover, it has increased my productivity as I no longer worry about forgetting or mixing up my medications, allowing me to focus on other tasks and responsibilities.
The Apple Watch has been a game-changer for me. Between running dasFlow and everyday life, it's easy to lose track of personal well-being. This gadget nudges me to close my daily activity rings, whether it's moving more or just standing up. The 'Breathe' app is a lifesaver during hectic days; a one-minute guided session helps me refocus. It's not just a watch; it's a mini-coach for both health and productivity. Highly recommend for anyone balancing a busy schedule with health goals.
The Fitbit wearable has significantly improved my health and productivity. Its comprehensive tracking features, including step count, heart rate monitoring, and sleep analysis, have enhanced my awareness of daily health patterns. By setting personalized activity goals, it has motivated me to maintain an active lifestyle and prioritize regular exercise. For instance, the sleep tracking function has provided insights into my sleep quality and duration, prompting adjustments to my sleep routine for better rest. The device's user-friendly app interface offers detailed progress reports, fostering a sense of accomplishment and accountability. By utilizing Fitbit's data-driven insights, I have cultivated healthier habits and optimized my daily routine, leading to improved overall well-being and sustained productivity.
I prefer smartwatches and own a Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 and a Garmin Fenix 7X Sapphire Solar. To encourage you to live an active life, these gadgets send you gentle reminders when you haven't been moving around much. When it comes to keeping track of exercise, my smart watch apps do a lot. It comes with an exercise tracker that keeps track of my steps, heart rate, blood pressure, calories burned, and a lot more. By showing me trends, these apps also push me to meet my daily fitness goals and get more frequent exercise. The app gives me short interval workouts, lessons that are easy to follow, and progress updates that I can see on my wrist. I can also choose the type of workout that fits my plan and level of fitness with this app. You used to be able to connect my smartwatch to my phone and get real-time information about how many calories I burned while doing activities. They also help me track my medicines and take them as prescribed by setting automated dose reminders.
For someone deeply entrenched in the software technology ecosystem, it might come as a surprise that a wearable, the Apple Watch, has been paramount to my well-being and productivity. Remember, in our high-performing environment, every second counts. The watch's seamless integration into my daily life allows me to manage notifications efficiently, ensuring I'm only disturbed by the most crucial alerts. Beyond the realm of business, its health features are remarkable. The heart rate monitoring alerted me once to an elevated rate during a particularly stressful week, prompting me to reevaluate my work-life balance. The daily step count serves as a metaphorical nudge, reminding me that a journey, whether in business or health, begins with a single step. It's not just about tracking metrics; it's about actionable insights that transform your life.
Moov Now is a unique wearable device that stands out with its real-time audio coaching feature. It not only tracks health metrics but also provides personalized coaching during various activities like running, swimming, and boxing. This feature helps users improve their form, technique, and performance, ultimately leading to better well-being and productivity. The audio guidance ensures users maintain proper posture, avoid common mistakes, and exercise efficiently without risking injuries. By addressing these subtleties, Moov Now goes beyond simple tracking, providing valuable insights and guidance to enhance users' health and productivity.
My smartwatch has helped my health immensely. I work from home and tend to forget about everything else whilst in front of my desk. My smartwatch has an activity reminder, which is set to 1 hour, and if I have not moved within the time frame it will give me a reminder to be active with a set of quick exercised to follow (includes stretches and movement to elevate my heart rate). Aside from that, I also made daily goals on the app related to the smartwatch which includes a daily step requirement (7000) to drinking enough water to making sure I sleep at least 7 hours a day. It also monitors my stress levels which keeps me aware of what events heightened my stress in order to avoid it and do guided breathing exercises (yes, the watch has that). As for productivity, I do focus and undisturbed work all throughout the day and I set a timer for each task - the timer is on my watch so I don't have to check my phone to set it.
Hey, about 3 months ago I bought the Oura Ring and it has been a game-changer for me. Before using it, I was already into exercising, but the Oura ring motivated me to move even more daily. The result? Better sleep and a noticeable improvement in my focus. It's like having a personal health coach on my finger, guiding me to make better choices for my well-being. It's fascinating how such a small device can make such a big difference in one's daily routine and productivity. Best, Kristoffer
Career Coach, Adjunct Faculty, Employer Relations Liaison, Relationship Development at University of Central Florida
Answered 2 years ago
I was an early FitBit adopter, which changed how I viewed daily movement. My goals became hitting 10,000 steps and 20 flights of stairs. Tracking these metrics revealed that days I felt "blah" were the days I moved less. I later switched to Garmin for distance running, then to the Apple Watch. Not for notifications, but for movement reminders. Amidst work, we forget to move, and these reminders encourage walks, eye breaks, and fresh air, promoting happier employees and better health.
For the past 24 months, I have been using Oura Ring. It is a wearable health tracker to monitor your sleep, activity, and readiness. It has been instrumental in my overall wellbeing and boosting productivity. One of the key insights from Oura ring which has benefitted me is a notification from the ring like, "your heart rate was higher than normal last night or your HRV was lower than normal". By correlating what activities or foods prompted this, I was able to determine what I need to do for better sleep. Since I have been able to sleep better, I feel improved recovery and reduced stress. This has been a big positive impact on my productivity. I feel more focussed and energetic.
Apple Watch helped my identify why I wasn't feeling refreshed and rested in the mornings even after I'd sworn I'd had 7-8 hours sleep. With the help of data provide by my watch I noticed that my body was quite restless during the night. I took to experimenting with different solutions because of this new awareness, mostly experimenting with varying temperatures in my room at night.
I've been using the Fitbit Charge 4 for a while now, and it's been a game-changer for my daily routine and well-being. As someone who primarily works at a desk, it's easy for me to forget to move around throughout the day. The Fitbit's hourly move reminders have been particularly helpful in this regard. Every hour, it nudges me to take at least 250 steps. This small reminder ensures that I stretch my legs, take a break from the screen, and get my blood circulating. Additionally, the sleep tracking feature has been enlightening. Before using the Fitbit, I had a rough idea of how long I was sleeping, but I didn't have insights into the quality of my sleep. The device provides a breakdown of my light, deep, and REM sleep stages. I noticed that on days when I had limited deep sleep, I felt more tired and less productive. This encouraged me to experiment with different bedtime routines and environments to enhance my deep sleep.
Fitbit Charge 6 has significantly impacted my overall well-being and productivity. One of the exclusive features of this device is Google integration. Whether I am working out or traveling, my well-being and productivity are not compromised anymore since, with this integration, I can access Google services and tools to monitor my activities and fitness goals. Fitbit Charge 6 is a well-optimized device with diverse tools to track heart rate monitoring, sleep patterns, and stress related to daily activities. These tools are exceptional in efficiency and accurately highlight the areas where I need to focus to improve my health. For example, in the last month, I had an excessive workload due to a few projects. This disturbed my sleep routine and I was on the verge of burnout. Thanks to Fitbit Charge 6, it kept me reminding to rest after the set intervals and even suggested a very comprehensive schedule of activities to improve my health and overall well-being.
A posture corrector device has made a positive impact on my well-being and productivity. By wearing this device, it provides real-time feedback and reminders to maintain proper posture throughout the day. This has helped me avoid back and neck pain caused by prolonged sitting, allowing me to focus better and be more productive. The subtle advantage of this device lies in its ability to address a specific issue that often gets overlooked, leading to long-term health problems. With improved posture, my overall well-being has improved, as I experience less discomfort and fatigue. This device has been instrumental in maintaining my productivity by preventing the distractions caused by physical discomfort.