Wearables are reflecting what’s happening inside us: how well we’re sleeping or how our mood is shifting. There’s nothing wrong with a guide that mirrors what’s going on within.
The risk is outsourcing our power and forgetting that going within gives us the same information. Most of us have been conditioned to override our internal cues, whether life is moving too fast to notice them, or responsibility leaves no room to stop and listen.
The reasons vary. But one thing is universal: we all have the capacity to be with ourselves. So why are we letting technology tell us how we feel, instead of asking?
The ancient science of Ayurveda reminds us that the body/mind is something to consult and not something to override. So, does this mean we need to throw out our beloved wearables? I don’t think so. I think the conversation is about balance.
Here are three tips I suggest to keep a healthy relationship between your body/mind while keeping up with the world today:
• Sense before you check: Before opening that app, pause and see how you feel. What do you sense? Let that be your first data point, then the device can confirm your state rather than define it for you.
• Use data to question, not answer: If you notice what you feel doesn’t match up with the data, get curious about the gap. Treat mismatches between data and sensation as information to sit with.
• Build in device-free windows: Pick a few minutes each day where you don’t check the app at all. This keeps your felt sense sharp enough that it doesn’t atrophy from disuse.
As with most things in life, when we ground in our own intelligence, we will have the discernment we need to establish wellbeing and balance.
Sita Severson is an Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist and Director of Soul of Yoga Institute. As the Soul of Yoga celebrates its 25th anniversary, Sita is sharing practice insights on holistic wellness with the community.
