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As a lifelong learner and advisor in the longevity space, I embrace new opportunities to implement practices and utilize tools that enhance my overall wellness. In this case, that meant returning my Oura ring, one of the holy grails of sleep health tracking. I want to make a small disclaimer that I used an early version, and it may have improved. But the Oura ring made me feel bad about myself, so I returned it.
When I first received the ring, I charged it up with anticipation. There were days I would wake up feeling refreshed, ready to be productive for my first 90-minute focused work session, with a plan to follow that up with a powerful workout; I would check my Oura with high hopes for a “You go, girl!” kind of confirmation. On the contrary, when I woke up feeling refreshed, Oura’s readiness score consistently indicated I should take it easy (based on recorded low sleep quality from the night before).
As a coach to high-performing leaders and an advocate for living a life as healthy as it is long, I understand that energy matters, how we feel matters, and being in tune and attuned with our bodies matters. I consider each of us an N-of-1 patient or a study of one based on the understanding that what works for some might not work for others.
Yet, in a culture of more, more, more, the study of one approach and trusting ourselves to know what works best (when appropriate) can feel insufficient, even counter-cultural. From gadgets and monitors to watches and rings, we now have more real-time access to data than ever before, and we are continuously encouraged to buy the next new device.
Earlier this month, I was honored to speak about the Seven Lifestyle Levers Assessment™ at Healthy Aging 50+: The Science of Healthy Living Conference, hosted by the Stanford Center on Longevity and Stanford Lifestyle Medicine, where I am an advisor. Kelly and Juliet Starrett, founders of The Ready State, lit up the stage with their own take on what can get in people’s way:
This resonated profoundly with most of us in the room. Our energy and vitality are like a reservoir, not an ocean. Each of us has a reservoir at different levels in different areas that can vary at different times—this is why the study of one approach is as much an art as a science. And why the path toward achieving any Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG), whether conquering Mount Everest or cultivating a healthful and sustainable lifestyle, begins with minor steps that, over time, create significant progress.
The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates summed up his philosophy regarding life’s most important commandments with these two words: Know thyself. I couldn’t agree more. My conference session explores this profound concept and the study of one approach.
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