My Wellness Tech Arsenal: What's Actually Worth Your Time and Money

April 30, 2025

Oso ondo, friends! Happy Wellness & Tech Wednesday! Welcome to this week's edition of Ondo Project, where tech innovation meets wellness.

As someone who's spent years working in the tech industry, I've developed a healthy skepticism about technology promising to "optimize" our lives. Yet I'm equally fascinated by tools that genuinely enhance our well-being when used mindfully.

Today, I'm taking you through my current wellness tech stack – what works, what doesn't, and what's worth your investment (and what isn't).

Tracking Tech: The Quantified Self

Oura Ring 4: After a journey from Oura Rings v1 and v2 to Apple Watch and now back to the latest Oura Ring 4, I've found my sweet spot. The sensitivity and simplicity of the Oura data make it my go-to for understanding heart rate patterns, sleep quality, and daily activity.

What I particularly appreciate about the latest version is its subtle temperature monitoring for cycle tracking. After years of sending feedback that previous versions weren't helpful for tracking ovulation if you have ovaries but don't menstruate (periods disappear with certain birth control methods, like IUDs - Speaking of which – IUDs themselves are another marvel of modern technology worth celebrating!)

The beauty of the Oura lies in its unobtrusiveness – unlike my Apple Watch experience, I don't feel constantly tethered to notifications while still getting actionable health insights.

Stress Management Tech: Finding Calm

Pulsetto Device: My newest addition is a vagus nerve stimulation device that helps reduce stress by bringing you into a parasympathetic state. The vagus nerve is essentially the superhighway of your parasympathetic nervous system – the "rest and digest" counterbalance to our often-dominant "fight or flight" response.

After three weeks of consistent use, I've noticed:

• More measured responses to work stressors

• Improved digestion

• A tangible shift in how quickly I can "downregulate" after high-intensity meetings

The research behind vagus nerve stimulation is fascinating and growing rapidly. While it's not a replacement for foundational stress management practices, it's a surprisingly effective complement.

Skincare Tech: The At-Home Facial Revolution

High-Frequency Device: On my esthetician's recommendation (who's been giving me facials for years), I invested in an at-home high-frequency device – a surprisingly affordable game-changer at around $60 on Amazon. Using it just once a week for about 2 minutes, or to treat an emerging blemish, has delivered remarkable results:

• Visibly clearer skin

• Tighter appearance overall

• Noticeably smaller pores

If you’re unfamiliar with the technology, these devices use targeted electrical current to kill bacteria, reduce inflammation, and stimulate circulation. The science is solid, and my personal results have been impossible to ignore.

Red Light Therapy Wand: Another staple in my evening routine (about 3 times weekly) is my red light therapy wand. Beyond the physical benefits of skin tightening, the ritual itself has become a cherished wind-down signal. The gentle warmth and soft glow create a perfect transition to sleep – technology that actually promotes disconnection rather than extending screen time.

Heat Therapy: The Timeless Tech

Sauna Sessions: Perhaps the oldest "wellness technology" on my list, heat therapy through regular sauna use has become a cornerstone of my routine. The research supporting sauna benefits keeps expanding, with particularly compelling evidence emerging around women's cardiovascular health.

Just yesterday, I took a midweek PTO day and headed to my membership spa at The Seabird Hotel in Oceanside. The day unfolded perfectly:

• Pool-side lunch (balancing indulgence with nourishment – salad AND French fries)

• Ocean-view swimming and reading from the 3rd floor pool deck

• 10-minute pre-massage sauna session

• A truly transformative massage experience

• 15-minute post-treatment sauna session to enhance detoxification

What struck me most was how this centuries-old technology (the sauna) seamlessly complemented both the cutting-edge treatments and the timeless human touch of massage therapy.

The Tech-Free Foundation

Here's the crucial truth I keep coming back to: You could literally spend ALL your money on "wellness" gadgets and health innovations, but they won't make much difference without these free, fundamental practices:

1. Quality Sleep: No device can compensate for consistent, restorative rest

2. Regular Movement: The most sophisticated fitness tracker can't replace the simple act of moving your body daily

3. Time in Nature: Natural sunlight and outdoor exposure provide benefits no light therapy device can fully replicate

4. Nourishing Food: Even the most advanced supplements can't override the impact of your daily food choices

The technology I've described works for me precisely because it builds upon this foundation rather than attempting to replace it.

The Mindful Tech Selection Process

When evaluating any new wellness technology, I apply these filters:

• Does it solve a specific problem I'm experiencing? (Rather than creating a problem I didn't know I had)

• Is it supported by legitimate research? (Not just compelling marketing)

• Does it enhance my existing practices rather than replacing them?

• What's the attention cost? (Does it demand constant interaction or operate relatively autonomously?)

• Is there a more affordable, low-tech solution I could try first?

This framework has saved me countless dollars and prevented the accumulation of well-intentioned but ultimately unused devices.

How I Used Claude This Week: AI-Powered Spring Cleaning

Speaking of technology that actually enhances life – I had a surprisingly delightful experience using Claude (Anthropic's AI assistant) for my spring cleaning closet purge this week!

After feeling overwhelmed by my cluttered closet, I dedicated a day to proper organization. I took everything out of my closets and dressers, photographed the empty spaces, and uploaded the images to Claude along with information about what clothes I use most frequently (primarily exercise clothes and jeans for work).

What happened next genuinely impressed me: Claude helped develop a fantastic organizational system tailored specifically to my needs, habits, and available space. The plan made so much sense and made the re-organizing experience much more efficient.

Some highlights of the Claude-designed system:

• Exercise clothes (my most-used items) now live in the most accessible drawers

• A logical grouping system that matches how I actually think about my wardrobe

• Smart solutions for awkward closet corners I've been misusing for years

• Recommendations for inexpensive organizational tools that have made a remarkable difference

While I've explored various AI applications in my professional life, this practical, everyday use case reminded me that these tools can enhance our physical environments and daily routines in genuinely helpful ways when applied thoughtfully. It's a perfect example of technology serving as an enhancement rather than a distraction.

What's Next on My Radar

I'm currently researching continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) – not because I have diabetes or pre-diabetes, but because I'm fascinated by how different foods affect my energy levels and cognitive performance.

I'd love to hear your experiences with wellness technology. What devices or tools have genuinely enhanced your wellbeing? Which highly-hyped products disappointed you? And what are you curious about but haven't tried yet?

Reply to this email with your thoughts—I read every response :)

Until next week, may you find your own moments of "ondo" in the midst of our tech-saturated world.

Be well,
Maddy

P.S. A small wellness tip inspired by my spa day: Create your own "mid-week reset" at least once a month. It doesn't need to involve expensive treatments – even a Wednesday afternoon spent in nature or at a local pool can provide the psychological refresh that normally only comes with weekends. The unconventional timing makes it feel especially luxurious and breaks the work-week momentum in the healthiest possible way.

Currently reading: This month’s book club pick is Education in Idealism by Samantha Powers