Watch This!

Life With a "Smart" Watch

“Time to be more active!” my watch barks and buzzes at me.

Barreling down the four-lane mountainous highway, I am far from inactive at the moment. Surrounded by racing drivers on all sides, many of them distracted by their phones, their food, or their families, I am on high alert. I will be for the next hour, until I park my car in the garage, where the traffic madness can’t reach me. Hopefully.

I got this watch, specifically, to remind me to move more often. As a writer, a common productivity mantra is, “Butt-in-chair!” That’s an obvious part of getting ink on the page. It isn’t the only way to get the writing done, however.  

Writing can occur anywhere, at any time. Our minds are always mulling over what we observe. It is easy to spend too much time in the chair, whether writing, reading, or procrastinating in some other way. Health experts say it is unhealthy to sit for long stretches of time, hence, my purchase of the watch.

I bought the kind with GPS. I don’t get lost often, or ever. Safety first though, right? I made sure to get the kind that would vibrate, so I wouldn’t miss the alerts. I’ve become an expert at ignoring them. My mind gets busy, it distracts me often. It can entertain itself a little too well.

“Time to stretch and move!” my watch urges. I’ve been on my feet for ages, doing a bit of laundry, preparing a meal, taking care of the pups, and standing outside, visiting with a neighbor, whom I adore. Unfortunately, my feet are killing me! Neuropathy and Reynaud’s are no joke. This watch hasn’t been watching very well.

I’m awake far too early most days. The watch senses when I move my wrist to check the time, or how many steps I’ve taken, my current heart rate, blood oxygen saturation percentage, and stress level, or to see who is calling, texting, or sending me a notification. However, before 7:00 a.m., no amount of shake, rattle or roll will earn me anything but a black screen. I would never know what time it is before 7:00 a.m. if my little Yorkie didn’t demand his doggie breakfast at 6:00 a.m. Sharp! No lollygagging around. His breakfast is serious business, not to be delayed.

I’m not sure if my watch’s best use is to remind me to “Be more active!” Or to make me consider how hilarious it is to be yelled at by a “smart” watch, that I purchased on purpose, as I take in the stunning scenery on this drive, moving faster and farther than I ever will on foot.

My dear husband often reminds me to pace myself, to integrate enough rest into my days, between activities. Multiple Sclerosis is a beast. For me, neurologic fatigue rules my days. On days that I feel my version of good, it is easy to over-do it. I feel a desperate need to take advantage of the energy in the rare instances when it graces me. I try to do all the things.

Healthy balance throughout each day is the crucial issue, and challenge, for me: getting enough rest, activity, movement, and some more rest.

I’ll keep a closer “watch” on that.

Jacque & her Service Dog, Ripple (yep-like the Grateful Dead song). Photo Credit: Jacque Stonehocker & Overwatch K-9