Are Aura Rings Helpful or Harmful?

In the new world of technology, there has arisen different products that are said to aid us in our health and wellness. However, are they really benefiting us, or exposing us to too much data about ourselves? For example, the Aura ring is a fairly new concept where the ring can tell you different things about your health such as sleep, exercise, stress, body temperature, etc. This data then can directly relate to health and wellness. But sometimes this can make someone a little too obsessed with the data and actually have the opposite effect on their health. 

For example, even if you are getting adequate sleep, but your aura ring shows you otherwise, you may have a negative opinion on yourself and your lifestyle. Every life is different and even if someone doesn’t get “enough” sleep, it may be normal for them. Also, if you are having a stressful week at a job, as a parent, or a student; the last thing you need is something telling you that you are failing at something. Yes, it is good in moderation to be aware of this data, but to a point. Once someone becomes obsessed and starts to plan their day or life around these numbers, that's when there is a problem. 

It is beneficial to realize how dependent you are on technology, it is there to aid us, but not there to control what we do. See it more as a tool than as a companion!

• Kate Kirkwood, Providence College class of 2026