Vol 11｜Can't shake off the late summer fatigue? Self-care visualizing sleep and body temperature
Don't just brush off that "feeling tired" as a lack of effort. This is about using the Oura Ring as a trigger to re-examine sleep, body temperature, and stress as signals from your own body.
Even in September, hot days can sometimes continue.
You should be sleeping, yet you're tired from the morning.
Your body feels heavy.
You can't concentrate.
You're not sure if it's PMS, the heat, or stress.
When such days continue, you might start to think, "Maybe I'm just not trying hard enough."
But is that really the case?
Your body gives many signs before they become words.
Today, I'd like to think about self-care, using the Oura Ring as a starting point, to avoid blaming yourself for that "vague unwellness."
01Fatigue is not just a matter of attitude
Feeling tired easily is a very vague discomfort.
You don't have a fever.
You're not clearly sick.
But you're not your usual self.
Especially for women, the body is a complex interplay of menstrual cycles, sleep, stress, body temperature, activity levels, and life stage changes. Before menstruation, during fertility treatment, postpartum, or around menopause. The way your body feels can change, even if you live the same life at different times.
Yet, we tend to dismiss these changes as "mood" or "constitution."
Of course, not everything can be explained by numbers. But if we can't see anything, we tend to blame our own bodies.
That's why I believe there's value in "making it visible" first.
02Sleep is the quietest gateway to your health
When it comes to health management, many people might think of diet and exercise.
However, what I would like to reconsider first is sleep.
Sleep is involved not only in physical recovery but also in hormones, stress, immunity, mood, and concentration. And changes in sleep are surprisingly difficult to notice on your own.
You may remember "when you went to sleep," but
it's hard to know if you "truly recovered."
The "reason for your fatigue" is also not just one thing.
What you might not be seeing
- Even if you get enough sleep, your sleep might be shallow.
- Your body temperature and sleep patterns might change only before menstruation.
- Signs of recovery might decrease during busy weeks.
- Even if you don't feel stressed, your body might be reacting.
Such changes are hard to see just by thinking about them. That's why recording them can be helpful.
03The Oura Ring Option
The Oura Ring 5 is a smart ring worn on the finger.
It records over 50 metrics daily, including sleep, activity, stress, heart rate, heart rate variability, respiratory rate, changes in skin temperature, and women's health, allowing you to review your condition over the long term.
The value I see in Oura is not to see "what score I got today."
It's to compare my own feelings with my body's signals.
For example, on a day when you wake up tired. Instead of just thinking "I'm being lazy," look at the previous day's sleep, heart rate, stress, and temperature changes. Then, you might realize, "Ah, my body was really working hard."
That feeling is very important.
Data is not meant to over-manage yourself. It can also be a tool to be kinder to yourself.
04Viewing women's health not as "points" but as a "flow"
A woman's body is not the same every day.
Ease of sleep, body temperature, mood, appetite, and fatigue can change depending on the menstrual cycle. And the body's signals change with different life stages such as pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.
However, in most cases, we only see these changes as "points."
I'm having a hard time today.
I can't sleep this week.
I've been tired lately.
Of course, those feelings are important. But when you see a "flow" in them, your relationship with your body changes a little.
What you understand when you see it as a flow
- Sleep tends to be shallower before menstruation.
- It's harder to recover after a busy week.
- Changes in body temperature often coincide with mood swings.
- It's easier to know when to rest sooner.
This is not about finding the right answer. It's a perspective for treating your body a little more carefully.
05Recording is not for pushing yourself
Some people might feel pressured to achieve "better numbers" when using a wearable device.
However, I believe that recording can be used not only to push yourself but also to find reasons to rest.
I'll go to bed early today.
I'll try not to pack too many things into my schedule today.
I'll try not to overdo it before my period.
This change has been ongoing, so I'll consult someone about it.
In this way, you can organize things within yourself that were difficult to express through feelings alone.
Recording to avoid carrying the burden of "vague unwellness" alone.
That's how I use Oura.
06Summary: To hear your body's voice a little sooner
You don't have to just brush off the fatigue of late summer with sheer willpower.
By gradually making changes in sleep, body temperature, stress, and menstrual cycle visible, your understanding of your own body deepens.
The important thing is not to manage everything perfectly.
It's about being able to notice a little sooner what your body is trying to tell you. And having the option to rest, consult, or make choices when needed.
The Oura Ring is one tool for that.
The Oura Ring and Oura app are not medical devices intended for the diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of any disease. If you have concerns about your health or data, please consult a medical professional. Also, the prediction of fertile windows is an estimate and cannot be used for contraceptive purposes.
Towards self-care that visualizes
sleep and health.
The Oura Ring 5 is a smart ring that continuously records sleep, activity, stress, women's health, and more, helping you understand your condition over the long term.
View Oura Ring 5
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