Data as accountability

I never got a Whoop or Oura ring in the past. I didn’t think it would benefit me to really confirm what I already know. I figured that I’d know if I was tired from going out the night before or that I worked out hard and my body has a lot of strain. I had actually thought it would have a negative effect, that is I’d feel worse about myself after a night out with friends.

Turns out I was wrong.

I’ve had my Whoop for about 2 weeks and the only reason I got it was that it was free with my Chase Reserve card. My coworkers convinced me that I might as well try it and I agreed.

I’ve really been loving it. The data that I receive on my body is above and beyond what I thought I would be getting. Yes, there’s some confirmation bias — okay I get it, I slept like shit and I know I’m going to feel like shit today and need to take it easy. But the Whoop’s data has propelled me and acted as a bit of an accountability buddy.

For example, I know I’ve been building up a lot of sleep debt the last week. My Whoop tells me that. Of course, I know and could feel that I’m more tired. But seeing that I have an hour of sleep debt allows me to actively try to make that up. I’ve been consciously in bed earlier and earlier ever since having my Whoop.

Yes, it does make me feel worse about myself when I do things that are counterproductive to my health, but I also suppose that is part of why it’s effective. Perhaps I should be resting more and having a few less drinks in order to maximize my sleep.

I can’t believe I’m saying it, but maybe I just took the entry level drug into biohacking like the other tech bros.