The Dark Side of Wearable Health Technology
In today’s quest for self-knowledge, we’re tempted to seize every bit of information about ourselves that technology can provide. Wearable devices like the Oura Ring track heart rate, body temperature, sleep patterns, and more, offering detailed insights into our health. But is this constant monitoring making us paranoid?
Sarah Hills, a 22-year-old recent graduate of Providence College, received an Oura Ring as a Christmas gift. The ring provides various scores, including a ‘readiness’ score that measures sleep quality, body signals, and activity levels to indicate how prepared you are for the day. Ms. Hills began compulsively checking her stats, and when her scores weren’t good, she would ruminate. When her stats fluctuated, she tried to see a doctor but ended up spending $50 on an at-home blood pressure cuff and monitor at a pharmacy because she couldn’t get an appointment soon enough.
“At that point, I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, this thing is literally destroying my mind,'” she said. Eventually, she saw a doctor who told her she was healthy and even suggested considering ditching the ring.
The Oura Ring tracks various biometric data, including body temperature, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels. While it provides valuable insights, it also has the potential to induce anxiety in its users. Ms. Hills’ experience is a stark reminder that while technology can offer detailed information about our health, it can also lead to unnecessary worry if not used judiciously.
As we continue to embrace wearable technology, it’s essential to strike a balance between being informed and being consumed by our health metrics. The key lies in using these devices as tools rather than becoming slaves to the data they provide.
