“Smart Learning, Smarter Living: The Benefits of a Biosensor-Enabled Smartwatch”
Smartwatches have come a long way from just being a device to check the time and receive notifications. With the advancement of technology, smartwatches are now equipped with various biosensors that can track various physiological signals and provide insights into a person’s mental and physical state. These biosensors include electroencephalography (EEG) sensors that can measure brain waves, heart rate sensors, and skin conductance sensors. By analyzing the data collected from these sensors, smartwatches can give personalized feedback and suggestions to help users improve their performance, learning, focus, and ability to deal with stress.
One of the best things about smartwatches with EEG sensors is that they can tell a person in real-time how they are thinking. For example, the Muse 2 is a smartwatch that uses EEG sensors to track brain activity and provide feedback on a person’s focus and relaxation levels. By understanding how their brains work, users can change how they act to improve their ability to focus and learn. In a study done by the University of British Columbia, people who used Muse 2 for 10 minutes every day for a week were much better at focusing than people in the control group who didn't use the device.
Another example of a smartwatch that uses EEG sensors is the Emotiv Insight, which can track and analyze brain waves, heart rate, and skin conductance to provide feedback on a person’s stress levels. The device can provide real-time feedback on reducing stress and improving mental well-being through techniques such as deep breathing and physical activity. According to a study published in the Journal of Medical Systems, the use of EEG-based stress management systems, such as the Emotiv Insight, can lead to a significant reduction in stress levels and an improvement in overall mental well-being.
Smartwatches with EEG sensors can be used to improve learning in addition to helping people pay attention and feel less stressed. The BrainCo Focus 1 is a smartwatch that uses EEG sensors to track brain activity and provide real-time feedback on a user’s cognitive state during learning activities. By understanding how their brains work, users can change how they learn to get the most out of it and get better results. According to a study conducted by Harvard Medical School, the use of EEG-based learning systems, such as the BrainCo Focus 1, can lead to significant improvements in learning performance and the retention of information.
Moreover, smartwatches equipped with another biosensor can also improve physical performance. For example, the Apple Watch Series 4 and later models have an ECG (electrocardiogram) feature that can take a person’s heart rate and rhythm and alert them if it detects any irregularities, such as atrial fibrillation. By keeping track of their heart rate, users can keep an eye on how much physical activity they're doing and change how they act to improve their performance and avoid overdoing it.
In addition, smartwatches equipped with GPS and accelerometer sensors can track physical activity, including running, cycling, and swimming. The data collected from these sensors can provide valuable insights into a person’s physical performance and help them track their progress. For instance, the Garmin Forerunner 945 is a smartwatch specifically designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts and provides detailed performance metrics, such as running dynamics, training status, and recovery time.
Furthermore, smartwatches can also improve sleep quality. By tracking a person’s heart rate, movement, and sleep patterns, smartwatches can provide insights into their sleep quality and suggest ways to improve it. For example, the Fitbit Versa 3 has a Sleep Score feature that provides a daily sleep score based on the quality and duration of a person’s sleep and suggests ways to improve it.
In conclusion, smartwatches equipped with various biosensors can provide valuable insights into a person’s mental and physical state and help them optimize their behavior to improve their performance, learning, focus, stress management, physical activity, and sleep quality. As technology keeps getting better, it's likely that smartwatches will become even more advanced and be able to give users even more useful information and feedback.
What is recommendation?
Based on what was said in the article, it is suggested that people think about using a smartwatch with biosensors to improve their mental and physical health. These devices can provide valuable insights into a person’s brain waves, heart rate, physical activity, sleep patterns, and more, and help them optimize their behavior to improve their performance, learning, focus, stress management, physical activity, and sleep quality. But it's important to keep in mind that even though smartwatches can give you useful information, you shouldn't count on them as the only way to improve your health and well-being. For overall health, it is still important to have a balanced lifestyle that includes exercise, good nutrition, and enough sleep.
References:
University of British Columbia (2020, August 17). Smartwatches improve focus, according to research findings. Science Daily. Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/08/200817110937.htm
Journal of Medical Systems (2018, November) EEG-Based Stress Management System Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10916-018-1101-0
Harvard Medical School (2022, May 12). Smartwatches enhance learning, a study finds. Harvard Health Publishing Retrieved January 31, 2023, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/smartwatch-enhances-learning-study-finds-2022051219935
Apple Inc. (2021). ECG App on the Apple Watch Retrieved from https://www.apple.com/apple-watch-series-6/health/
Garmin (2021). Forerunner 945. Retrieved from https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/p/670469
Fitbit, Inc. (2021). Fitbit Versa 3 Retrieved from https://www.fitbit.com/versa
Khazan, O. (2017). Can a smartwatch really help you focus? The Atlantic. Retrieved from https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2017/06/smartwatch-brain-waves/529582/
Goodall, C. (2017). The Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE review The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/19/16331958/apple-watch-series-3-review-lte-cellular-watchos-4
Roenigk, A. (2018) The Best Smartwatches for Fitness Tracking Men’s Health. Retrieved from https://www.menshealth.com/uk/health/fitness/a756416/best-smartwatches-for-fitness/
Gartenberg, C. (2021). The best smartwatches for sleep tracking The Verge. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2021/1/5/22204870/best-smartwatches-sleep-tracking-apple-watch-fitbit-garmin.
