Fashion Week is often compared to the Olympic Games in the world of fashion. While it is a dream come true for many to attend the shows, it is also a lot of work with long days. The author, who attends shows from 9AM to 9PM, realized after New York Fashion Week that their good habits were being broken during this time. They decided to track how Fashion Week affects their health and habits by using an Oura Ring, a device that tracks sleep, wellness, and physical activity.
One of the most interesting things that the Oura Ring tracks is the “Readiness” score, which looks at body metrics and activity levels to determine how prepared one is to face the day’s stressors. The author’s overall readiness score for the month was 64, indicating suboptimal performance. However, their average for the weeks between New York Fashion Week and Shanghai Fashion Week was a solid 75.75. During the week of shows in China, their readiness score dropped to an average of 49, with a low of 27 on the first full day in Shanghai.
Despite the assumption that activity levels increase during Fashion Week due to running around from show to show, the author found that their activity score actually decreased during the week of Shanghai Fashion Week. While their average activity score for the month was 79, it dropped to 70 during the week of shows. The author admits that they are usually too tired during show season to ask their body to do more, but plans to join a friend on more bike rides to commute to shows in the future.
The author’s sleep habits were also impacted during Fashion Week. Their average sleep score for the month was 76, but dropped to 59 during the week of Shanghai Fashion Week. This was due to factors such as jet lag, long hours, and catching a cold on the plane. The author acknowledges that prioritizing sleep is important for overall health and plans to focus on improving their sleep habits in the future.
In addition to physical health, the author’s mental health also suffered during Fashion Week. Their average Readiness score for the month was 64, indicating that they were not performing at an optimal level. The stress of deadlines, long days, and jet lag took a toll on their mental well-being. The author recognizes the importance of managing stress and plans to prioritize self-care and stress management techniques in the future.
Overall, the author’s experience with using the Oura Ring during Fashion Week shed light on how the hectic schedule and stressful environment can impact health and wellness. While the glamour and excitement of Fashion Week are undeniable, it is important to prioritize self-care and healthy habits to maintain overall well-being. By tracking their habits and making adjustments, the author hopes to improve their health and performance during future fashion events.
