A Day in the Life study produces a “fire hose” of context that more focused studies can’t capture. This gives researchers more to work with when using the data in future diary studies or product testing.
These videos are great on websites and in email campaigns sent to audience segments at different stages of the buyer’s journey. They also make excellent social media content.
1. Track Your Exercise
Whether you’re running, biking, swimming, dancing or kneading bread, your smartwatch can track your steps and tell you how many calories you’ve burned. But to get the most accurate results, you need to make sure your device is set up properly. In some cases, poor-quality devices can count movements like putting on makeup or shaking hands as exercise, and may even miss out on steps altogether.
Some smartwatches offer real-time heart rate monitoring and can alert you to abnormal heartbeats. This feature can be particularly useful for people with specific health concerns. For example, endurance athletes like runners, cyclists and triathletes need to keep their heart rate in what’s known as the “zone two” or endurance zone to achieve their best results.
Sedentary behaviour is a major health risk, so smartwatches can also prompt you to move around more with inactivity alerts. Some even include GPS tracking to help you keep an eye on your location if you’re hiking, cycling or exploring unfamiliar surroundings. Smartwatches can also offer guided workouts and coaching to help you stay fit and motivated.
2. Keep Track of Your Meals
It’s not just exercise that keeps you fit — what you eat is equally important. Smartwatches can help you monitor your calorie intake and stay on track with your health goals.
Food tracking puts hard numbers in front of you that feel more achievable than vague ideas like “eat more vegetables.” It can also help you get a better sense of portion sizes by recording the size of your meals and noting the type of cutlery used.
However, if you are feeling overwhelmed by data tracking, it may be a sign that you should take a break. If you notice chest pain, shortness of breath or any other unusual sensations, consult your doctor immediately.
3. Monitor Your Sleep
Getting the NHS-recommended seven to eight hours of sleep every night is important for your mental and physical health. Smartwatches with sleep monitoring can help you optimise your bedtime routine.
They measure heart rate, movement and breathing and detect when you’re in light, deep or REM sleep. They then predict your sleep cycle and may also measure environmental factors like the amount of light in your bedroom or the temperature.
You can access your sleeping data in apps on your smartphone, with many devices offering user-friendly graphs and reports to spot trends and make changes. You can also set a sleep goal in the app to motivate you to meet your target.
But remember that a wearable isn’t a medical device and can’t diagnose sleep disorders, so take any sleep tracking stats with a pinch of salt. If you think you might have a sleep disorder, consult a doctor or get a professional sleep study to be diagnosed. You can also find sleep trackers that double as a ring and slip around your finger, or headbands that use biofeedback and sensors.
4. Reminders for Important Events
A smartwatch can set reminders for important events like a doctor’s appointment or a school performance, and it can remind you of daily tasks such as drinking water or taking medication. These features help users stay on top of their routines and reduce stress and anxiety.
Reminders are unobtrusive and more socially acceptable than a ringing phone, and they allow users to quickly check their calendar without interrupting others. These ‘receiving’ interactions account for the largest share of the positive and negative effects reported in our diary study.
However, too many reminders can lead to information overload and cause stress. For example, if you find yourself obsessing over metrics such as calories burned or steps taken, eliminate these from your watch or change the settings so they aren’t recorded and reminded you of often. Instead, focus on your ‘why’ — the reason you first wanted a smartwatch — such as getting active or improving your health. Remembering that goal can help you overcome any distractions that arise from a smartwatch’s alerts. You can also use reminders to create custom health goals and track your progress toward them.
5. Keep Track of Your Phone
While many smartwatches can function as standalone devices, most are designed to link directly to smartphones for functions like message notifications and GPS tracking. Many users find this functionality helpful for staying on top of calls and messages without having to reach for their phone every time.
Many users also rely heavily on the ability to track their progress toward their goals. This type of feedback is particularly valued when it is displayed on the watch at predetermined intervals, like the beginning of a new week or month. This provides motivation to stay on track and can be highly effective when it is paired with personal goal setting.
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