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When I first got my Fitbit Luxe about six months ago, I expected to use it exclusively to track and measure my fitness routines. I thought it could help me train for a bodybuilding competition this coming spring. I did my first competition a few years ago, just after I turned 40 and before COVID shut down the meets and the gyms in the UK. The competitions are a great way to stay motivated, and I\u2019ve been looking forward to them starting up again.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Luxe certainly delivered on helping me track my workouts but it had so much more to offer. It was great to be able to monitor my heart rate and to observe my Active Zone Minutes. My fitness goals have changed over time, and I\u2019m not as interested in the number on the scale. Focusing primarily on weight can make you feel more stressed, and you can ignore your overall well-being.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What surprised me about Fitbit and the Premium offerings was how much extra they offered in terms of stress reduction, meditation, and mindfulness. It\u2019s clear that everyone\u2019s mental health has been tested after two years of COVID and the lockdowns and isolation. Even if you\u2019ve stayed healthy and in shape, it is easy to feel stuck. We\u2019ve been kept from doing the things we love and seeing those we love. Much of my family is in Zimbabwe and I haven\u2019t been able to travel and see them in a long time. So it\u2019s been quite hard.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Before I got my Fitbit, I\u2019d already been working on maintaining mental health through a mindfulness and gratitude practice. I had done some meditation and breathwork. I was happy to find that the Fitbit app had so much to offer to help me further these interests.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As I explored the offerings, including the breathing exercises, meditations, and sleep routines, I began to better understand the feedback between my mental state and my body\u2019s automatic systems. As I meditated more and worked through the breathing exercises, I could look at the data and see that my heart rate would lower and my stress scores would improve.\u00a0<\/p>\n
That was exciting and motivating. It wasn\u2019t unlike building muscle at the gym. I was building emotional strength with consistent work and practice\u2014becoming mentally stronger and more resilient. The Fitbit platform is a reminder of the holistic nature of the mind, body, and spirit and how great wellness routines utilize the connection between mental health and physical health.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I found I was creating a positive loop. As my stress decreased, I would get better sleep and have better sessions at the gym. The improvement even spilled out to all areas of my life, like my interactions with friends, coworkers, and strangers. If your mind is in a good place then everything else kind of falls into place.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Feeling stuck comes from repeating the same patterns of behavior. But it is never too late to change your life for the better. You don\u2019t have to take huge steps to change your life. Making even the smallest changes to your daily routine can make a big difference. It is important to remember that so much of your physical and mental health is in your control.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As told to Ethan Watters<\/em><\/p>\n This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or condition. Always check with your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits, taking supplements, or starting a new fitness routine.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p><\/div>\n