THE TOOL: The Oura Ring is a health monitor that monitors sleep parameters, heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), activity, body temperature and (now) blood oxygen levels (SpO2).

WHO IT MIGHT HELP:

• People who find other health trackers cumbersome.
• People who want to learn more about their health parameters
• People who want to better understand how their lifestyle affects their health

RESEARCH & REASONS TO BELIEVE:

Oura Ring

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE:

I ordered the Oura Ring after trying a number of different health modalities and wondering whether or not they were working. I’ve worn the ring consistently since it arrived, except when charging it.

The ring comes with an app for you to check the data. I personally check it first thing in the morning, after my workouts, around dinner time and before I go to bed.

TIPS & THINGS TO KNOW:

• The company suggests you wear the ring on your non-dominant hand, preferably the index finger. They do a great job of making sure you get the right size ring. They offer a free ring-sizing kit that lets you try different sizes for several days to ensure you get the right size. I suggest you take advantage of it and take your time by wearing the sizing rings throughout several days and nights. I found my finger size changes quite a bit more than I would have guessed–swelling at night and super thin at different points during the day. I’m so glad I tested it before I selected my size. Still, I sometimes find myself switching the ring to my middle finger or my thumb as needed.
• If you don’t list your workouts on the day you workout, you will not be able to list your workout. There’s no chance of adding data retrospectively.
• The app comes with a subscription and usually includes several months (up to a year) free, depending on what offer was available when you purchase your ring.
• Each week, you will receive a weekly review. And after a month, you will receive a monthly review. Finally, after three months, you will receive a quarterly review…including highlights of a couple key measurements based on whatever you said your priorities are.
• You can add tags for different things to help you identify changes in your health data. These include existing tags or ones you write in yourself. For example, I add the sauna, cryotherapy, menstrual cycle, chiropractic adjustments, massages, migraines, and special events (like when I got head-butted by a Bernese Mountain Dog and when I bought my new car).
• Almost every data point can be tapped to see a weekly or monthly trend.
• I believe the ring is suitable for submersion in water (swimming), and I know it’s suitable for the sauna. I personally remove the ring only when I shower (to charge it) and also when I lift weights or do other exercise that might damage the ring.
• I found it helpful to pick one measure (HRV) to focus on watching to see how an activity or other lifestyle change might impact my health. I also found it helpful to pick one measure (inactive time) to specifically work on improving.
• I’ve shared observations from my health data with experts who help me along my health journey (including my PCP, my chiropractor, my personal trainer, and my Traditional Chinese Medicine herbalist) and discovered some incredible insights that have led to amazing results.
• I’m a Type A personality that tends toward perfectionistic tendencies. At first, I treated the health data as a sort of report card and was hard on myself if the data wasn’t “perfect.” It’s taken me some time, but I’ve learned to view the data as a friendly and well-meaning guide, a change that’s improved my well-being.

I personally can’t imagine living without my Oura Ring. It’s really put the power of understanding and caring for my health—literally—in my own hands!