Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
I need to hire a kid. STAT!
I had the bright idea to get smart watches for us after seeing a news story about a woman whose watch alerted her to a dangerous medical condition. The watch detected an unusual heart rhythm and periods of an alarmingly high pulse rate. She ended up in an ER, and then ICU where doctors were able to address an undiagnosed heart condition.
The same story talked about the different types of “things” a smart watch would show, like stress levels, steps walked, fitness levels, blood pressure, sleep rates, to name but a few. Since I could fit what I know about smart watches and health apps in a thimble, I talked to people who swore by their watches, and did a lot of reading. I settled on a brand that bragged about ease of use; according to the reviews, the claims made by the watchmaker were backed up by happy and healthy purchasers. This brilliant choice was confirmed by people I showed the watches to prior to purchase, who promised we’d love them.
Famous last words.
After reading the directions, which seemed simple enough, I tried repeatedly to set them up. Between the little booklet and the phone app instructions, easy peasy, right? No; smart watches: 100, me: 0.
The watches are sitting on the kitchen counter like some weird configuration of modern art, right where I stashed them after too many attempts without success. I don’t need the smart watch to tell me I’m probably overthinking this. I can say, without a functioning smart watch, that my stress level has increased trying to set them up. I’m fairly certain my blood pressure is higher, too. What I lack in steps, I’ve made up for with set-up attempts. Surely that counts as some type of fitness activity.
Once I have a little time-out period, I will try again. The reality though, is that I know I need to monitor health concerns. I know that I need to reduce stress to improve physical, mental, and spiritual health. I know that it’s better to get out and walk a few miles than it is to plop myself on the couch and watch TV. On the days where it’s too hot or too windy to walk, I can read a book while sprinting on the recumbent bike.
I need someone who is smarter than the watches. My 8-year-old nephew Gavin is a pretty good tech guy. When we’re playing games, he’ll not only give me pointers but tell me what I’m doing wrong. When I couldn’t make kid messenger work, he told me what I needed to do and which buttons to push. Go figure.
He’s coming to visit in a few days, and we’ll not only get to watch trains, I’ll see if he can set up the smart watches for me. He’ll probably laugh and roll his eyes dramatically, which he inherited from his grandfather. If Gavin can’t do it, I’m sure his mother will be able to get it working, along with some laughter and a dramatic eye roll or two.
Patti Dobson writes about faith for The Eastern New Mexico News and Quay County Sun. Contact her at: