Guest post series continues, please welcome Mark from New England, USA. Mark has traveled the globe extensively, has no social media accounts, and has studied and practiced several centuries old Eastern meditative philosophies. Further, Mark has enjoyed sauna most of his life, and shares his thoughts on the hyper quantification culture we live today. Enter Mark:
Our modern world is driven by a neurotic obsession with numbers, and it’s enough to drive you to drink. This obsession with the measurement of everything is called metrology and, while it has its place in science, it seems seriously misapplied in a sauna where serenity and escape from the World seem to be common goals.
In sauna, there is no real need to measure temperature and time…hot is hot, and sweat is sweat…Just listen to your body! Sauna is a respite from a world that is driven by a neurotic need to measure.
Myers Briggs Personality Types:
“S’s” rule our life. “S” stands for “Sensing” in this popular Personality Assessment tool, and it signifies people with a need for methodical processes to make sense of problems, situations, and life. 73% of people are “S” types. What does this mean? It means they run things, and tend to frustrate the other Personality Type called Intuitives.
When they work on a problem, they go sequentially A, B, C, D: They have to go through every step in sequence. Jumping from A to D is generally impossible for them, while most Intuitives find skipping steps easy.
The “S” psyche are driven by this need for process, so our Modern world is defined by numbers, measurement, and cumbersome bureaucracy that constructs a reality these people are comfortable with.
A fitbit is a perfect illustration of this. Perhaps it’s interesting for a day, but do you seriously need to benchmark all your vitals, day after day? To what end?
Instead, try to relax and enjoy the moment. You will know when it’s time for a break. Your body will tell you.
Sauna is a respite from a complex and hectic world, where the term quality should replace quantity. Relax. Turn off the calculator. Don’t let the “S” World game you.
—
The current obsession with quantification, exemplified by devices like Fitbit, reflects a growing trend in our data-driven society. While these wearable technologies offer numerous benefits, they also raise concerns about their impact on mental health and overall well-being.
Benefits of Quantification
**Increased Physical Activity:** Wearable activity trackers have proven effective in increasing physical activity across various age groups and populations. Studies show that using these devices can lead to approximately 1800 extra steps per day and 40 minutes more walking[2]. This increase in activity can have significant health benefits, particularly for sedentary individuals.
**Improved Health Outcomes:** The use of activity trackers has been associated with modest weight loss and improvements in body composition. Meta-analyses suggest reductions of approximately 1 kg in body weight and improvements in fitness levels[2].
**Data Integration:** Modern fitness apps, like the updated Fitbit app, allow users to integrate health data from various sources, providing a more comprehensive view of their overall health and fitness[3]. This integration can help users make more informed decisions about their well-being.
Concerns and Drawbacks
**Obsessive Behavior:** The constant access to personal health data can lead to obsessive tendencies. A 2018 study found that features of compulsive eating and exercise habits were elevated in those using monitoring tools[4]. This obsession with data can transform a healthy interest in fitness into an unhealthy fixation.
**Reduced Enjoyment:** Paradoxically, the focus on quantification may decrease the enjoyment of physical activities. A 2016 study by Duke University revealed that those who tracked their steps walked further but enjoyed it less[4]. This suggests that the pursuit of numbers can overshadow the intrinsic pleasure of exercise.
**Anxiety and Stress:** For some individuals, particularly those with pre-existing anxiety or eating disorders, constant health monitoring can exacerbate stress levels. People with anxiety reported elevated stress when looking at their heart rates on a tracker[4].
**Loss of Intuition:** Over-reliance on fitness trackers may lead to a disconnection from one’s body. Users may become too focused on health metrics, reducing their general awareness of how their bodies feel[4].
The Path Forward
As our society grapples with this quantification obsession, new approaches are emerging:
1. **Mindful Tracking:** Apps like YouAte and YouFood focus on mindful eating rather than calorie counting, encouraging users to categorize their choices as “on-path” or “off-path” and reflect on how those choices made them feel[5].
2. **Aggregate Data:** Products like the Shapa scale provide a more holistic view of health trends rather than focusing on daily fluctuations, which can be misleading and demotivating[5].
3. **Balance and Moderation:** Health professionals recommend using these tools in moderation and not letting them control one’s life. As Jessica Setnick, a registered dietitian, states, “Ultimately, the goal is to not need to count calories at all, but to be able to follow internal cues for guidance”[5].
In conclusion, while fitness trackers and health apps can be powerful tools for improving physical health, it’s crucial to use them mindfully. The key lies in striking a balance between leveraging the benefits of quantification and maintaining a healthy relationship with our bodies and activities.
Citations:
[1] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8971973/
[2] https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landig/article/PIIS2589-75002200111-X/fulltext
[3] https://www.under30ceo.com/fitbit-app-integrates-diverse-health-data-sources/
[4] https://www.verdict.co.uk/fitness-trackers-obsession/
[5] https://time.com/5066561/health-data-tracking-obsession/
[6] https://www.uclahealth.org/news/article/are-fitness-trackers-enough-to-keep-you-motivated-and-turn-exercise-into-a-habit
[7] https://cabinethealth.com/blogs/journal/how-a-fitbit-can-help-monitor-your-blood-pressure
[8] https://sports-psychotherapy.com/a-step-too-far/
[9] https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-my-fitness-tracker-turned-me-against-myself/
