“Health is wealth” and I’m truly feeling the weight of that wisdom as we kick off this new year. After returning from an incredible trip to Japan, I found myself battling an upper respiratory tract infection while my siblings stayed healthy. This experience has made me reflect on my health and the importance of a strong immune system.
Recently, I started using a Garmin watch, and it has completely changed how I keep track of my health. It monitors things like my sleep quality, stress levels, and how ready I am for workouts. But during my trip to Japan, I noticed my heart rate variability (HRV) was dropping.
HRV reading
An HRV measures how much time varies between your heartbeats. For example, if your heart beats 60 times a minute, the time between beats can change a lot. A higher HRV means your body is handling stress well, while a lower HRV can indicate that you’re under stress or not feeling great. Normally, my HRV averages between 32-44 milliseconds, but when it dipped, it was a sign that my immune system was struggling.
Training readiness advice
This experience taught me an important lesson about paying attention—not just to how I feel but also to what my watch is telling me. It’s not about letting numbers control my life; it’s about using them to help me make better choices for my health.
So this year, I’m focusing on a few key areas:
* Sleep: Making sure I get enough quality rest each night.
* Stress reduction: Finding ways to relax and manage stress.
* Healthy Eating: Choosing nutritious food that helps my body. No more sugar!
* Sunlight: Get out in the sun and get at least 15 minutes of sunlight.
* Daily Exercise: Staying active, at least walking 7,500 steps per day.
As we dive into 2025, I want to be more in tune with what my body is telling me and use technology wisely to support my health.
I invite you all to reflect on your health as we start this new year. Consider how you can use technology—whether it’s through wearables like smartwatches or health apps that help track your progress. Remember, taking care of your health is one of the best investments you can make for yourself!
Here’s to a healthier year ahead! Let’s make 2025 the year we listen more closely to our bodies and take actionable steps toward better wellness together.
In loving service,
Rosan
