We all know that fall starts as soon as fresh school supplies and aggressively scented cinnamon brooms line grocery store aisles. It is a transition loved by many (fall is literally America’s favorite season)—but TBH, I can’t relate. While I’ll never turn down an opportunity to cozy up and watch re-runs of Gilmore Girls, this time of the year just doesn’t do it for me. Truth be told, I often find myself unmotivated to work hard and reach my goals during this time of year, and I generally just feel “meh” most of the time. If you’re like me and also find the transition from summer to fall a nightmare, especially for your work life, there’s a strong chance you’re no stranger to “autumn burnout.”

What is “autumn burnout,” and what causes it?

The term “autumn burnout” refers to feeling completely mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted during the transition from summer to fall. While this can stem from things such as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), it’s often a direct result of the increased pressures and demands that go against our biological body clock.

Where summer is all about relaxation and long days outside filled with vitamin D, fall is all about cooler weather, shorter days, and more time spent indoors. Not only can this lack of physical activity and sunlight seriously affect our energy levels, but it can also leave us feeling unmotivated to work hard and reach our goals. Plus, transition anxiety is very real, and a change in season and climate can be triggering for those who have a hard time dealing with change. *raises hand*

Signs you’re suffering from autumn burnout

While everyone is different, there are some telltale signs that mean you’re suffering from autumn burnout. So, use these universal red flags to spot when you’re approaching or suffering from burnout this fall:

1. You feel unmotivated and exhausted

If you’re dreading what’s on your calendar, are struggling to complete tasks, and feel overwhelmed by literally everything, you’re likely suffering from autumn burnout. This is especially true if these feelings are ongoing. Unlike normal fatigue, exhaustion burnout can’t be cured by a good night’s sleep, and taking a work break won’t restore your motivation or ambition.

2. You’re experiencing sleep issues

It’s no secret that getting the right amount of beauty rest each night is imperative for your health, but you’re more likely to experience sleep issues when you’re burnt out. This is because stress releases adrenaline and cortisol, and these two hormones trigger the body’s fight-or-flight response and in turn make you more alert. If you’re feeling particularly stressed during the day and are having trouble falling asleep and staying asleep, it’s likely a result of burnout.

“If you’re dreading what’s on your calendar, are struggling to complete tasks, and feel overwhelmed by literally everything, you’re likely suffering from autumn burnout.”

3. You’re apathetic about your job

They say if you love what you do you’ll never work a day in your life, but I beg to differ. While I love my job and wouldn’t change it for a thing, there are still days when work feels like work. So if you’re passionate about your career but find yourself growing indifferent towards or frustrated with it, you’re likely burnt out. Likewise, experiencing decreased productivity and overall work performance are also major signs of autumn burnout.

4. You’re cynical and irritable

Cynicism and irritability are two major red flags that you’re approaching burnout or are already there. After all, burnout makes you more susceptible to lower mood levels because it depletes your mental, emotional, and physical resources. If you’re more pessimistic than usual, there’s a strong chance you’re experiencing autumn burnout.

How to treat autumn burnout

1. Prioritize a healthy work-life balance

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is truly key to treating burnout as the seasons change. This means setting boundaries between your work and personal life—not answering emails after a certain time, clocking in and out at a reasonable hour, making your weekends all about you and forgetting about work, and so on. Additionally, give yourself time to recharge every single day. Let yourself indulge in a morning workout or a nice breakfast and unwind with some reading or journaling in the evening after work. Setting aside time for yourself will allow you to decompress, de-stress, and release whatever’s bothering you.

2. Focus on your health

Health is wealth, and you naturally feel more motivated and perform better at work when you feel good inside and out. So, treat burnout by prioritizing getting enough sleep every night, exercising regularly, drinking plenty of water, and eating well. You’ll feel strong and well-equipped to handle whatever comes your way and able to prevent burnout easily because you’ll feel good. Plus, taking care of yourself will make you feel proud and accomplished. 

3. Plan ahead

Planning ahead is one of the easiest ways to ease anxiety and stay grounded and calm during times of stress and pressure. Set aside time before the start of each week (on Friday or Sunday) and plan out your schedule; your schedule should include work priorities and tasks, chores, and other necessary appointments or errands you have to get done. By taking the time to do this, you’ll remove one extra step for yourself in the morning—you won’t have to wake up and plan out your day. In turn, this will make your days seamless, and your productivity will soar.

4. Stay connected

Isolation is one of the worst things for your mental health, and becoming disconnected is easier than ever thanks to remote jobs and busy schedules. For this reason, make an active effort to stay connected to the important people in your life on a regular basis. Regardless of whether you text or meet in person, talking to others will remind you that you’re not alone and will help you get out or stay out of a funk.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Arianna Reardon, Contributing Writer

Arianna is a Rhode Island native, professional blogger, and freelance writer. She’s passionate about helping women develop healthy relationships with money, become financially independent, and invest in themselves for the future. Arianna is a firm believer in going after what you want, taking time to stop and smell the roses, and the importance of a good cocktail.

A couple of years ago, I decided to treat myself to an Always Pan during an Amazon Prime Day sale (ahem, much like the one going on today). I had seen it popping up on Instagram in the kitchens of influencers I follow, and I won’t lie: I was initially drawn to it because of how gorgeous it is. Once I looked into it a bit more, I was sold by its promise to replace 10 pieces of cookware. I lived in a studio apartment with a tiny kitchen at the time, and that sounded like an amazing space-saving solution to me.

Now, after using it for more than a year, I can say it is hands-down my favorite piece of kitchenware—and right now, it’s almost $50 off for Amazon Prime Day. I’ve sung its praises to my family, friends, and coworkers alike. I think it’s important to note that I am not someone who splurges often. I like to consider myself a budget queen, always looking for dupes and deals. But this one purchase I can justify splurging on (especially during a sale), purely because of how often I use it.

Our Place

Upgrade your cooking routine to a new level with the Always Pan. Designed to replace clunky pots and pans with one cook-all design, the Always Pan is shallow enough to fry an egg and deep enough to boil pasta. Plus, with six aesthetic shades to choose from, it doubles as countertop decor.

Advertisement

Sale price: $104 After Sale: $150

What is the Always Pan?

The Always Pan is a bestselling piece of cookware from the Los Angeles-based and woman-owned brand Our Place. Shiza Shahid, who also co-founded the Malala Fund, started Our Place with the mission to simplify cookware and bring connection back to the kitchen. The brand invests in ethical labor and responsible materials, so you can feel good about your purchase. They also partner with different charities and celebrities, like Selena Gomez and the Rare Impact Fund. Our Place also has other products, like the Perfect Pot and more kitchen essentials. 

The Always Pan is made with a nonstick ceramic coating that’s free of any potentially toxic chemicals, which makes both cooking and cleaning easy. It comes with a wooden spatula, a stainless-steel steamer basket, and a lid. The pan is ideally sized so you can braise, sear, steam, strain, sauté, fry, and boil, all with the same piece of cookware. It’s truly the ideal option if you love the convenience of one-pan or one-pot meals.

Our Place

Upgrade your cooking routine to a new level with the Always Pan. Designed to replace clunky pots and pans with one cook-all design, the Always Pan is shallow enough to fry an egg and deep enough to boil pasta. Plus, with six aesthetic shades to choose from, it doubles as countertop decor.

Advertisement

Sale price: $104 After Sale: $150

 

Why I love the Always Pan

It looks beautiful in my kitchen

As I mentioned above, I was immediately drawn to the style and design of the Always Pan. I’m someone who loves to make my home as aesthetically pleasing as possible, so I really appreciate how this fits right into my home decor. I leave it out on my stove 24/7, and I truly think it adds a little something special to my kitchen.

Advertisement

I have the color Spice, which is a warm, dusty pink, but you can now choose from more than 10 stunning colors. Are neutrals more your thing? Try Steam, an oatmeal hue, or Char, a deep charcoal color. Or if you’re loving the green kitchen trend, Sage is perfect for you. Prior to this pan, I always had ugly cookware that was hidden away in a cabinet, so I really love the added value of wanting to show it off. 

 

It makes my kitchen less cluttered

The Always Pan combines 10 pieces of cookware into one, replacing your fry pan, sauté pan, steamer, skillet, saucier, saucepan, nonstick pan, and spatula. And although my kitchen is now slightly bigger than that studio I mentioned, space-saving solutions are always a good idea when you live in a city. 

After I purchased the Always Pan, I got rid of most of my other cookware because I hardly ever used it. This pan is extra convenient because I just leave it out on my stovetop—meaning I don’t actually have to store any pots or pans at all. 

Advertisement

It’s easy to use and easy to clean

I have heard some criticism about the nonstick coating not being so nonstick or the pan not being durable, but I truly disagree. I have used my Always Pan at least four times per week for over a year and a half, and it looks and functions just as it did when I first got it. You do have to follow the care instructions provided by Our Place, which are super simple: cook with low to medium heat, lightly coat the pan with an oil before cooking (like EVOO, avocado oil, or ghee), only use wooden or silicone utensils with it, and hand-wash it with the sponge they provide after each use. 

I was a bit apprehensive about the hand-washing aspect, but it really could not be easier. The nonstick coating means that everything washes right off. No matter what I cook in the pan, it takes about one minute to clean it. I have made cheesy one-pan pasta dishes, caramelized onions, sautéed vegetables, and more eggs than you can imagine in this pan—and I’ve never once had an issue with sticking. 

If you’re looking to invest in an Always Pan yourself, you’ll be glad to know that it’s on sale right now for Amazon Prime Day. Trust me—you’re about to cook some restaurant-tier meals with this thing.

Our Place

Upgrade your cooking routine to a new level with the Always Pan. Designed to replace clunky pots and pans with one cook-all design, the Always Pan is shallow enough to fry an egg and deep enough to boil pasta. Plus, with six aesthetic shades to choose from, it doubles as countertop decor.

Advertisement

Sale price: $104 After Sale: $150

MEET THE AUTHOR

Jessica Welsh, Commerce Editor

As Commerce Editor, Jessica oversees and edits all shopping content. She also writes in-depth styling stories, trend reports, capsule wardrobes, gift guides, and more. She has created editorial content for major brands such as Nordstrom, Old Navy, Vionic Shoes, and Kohl’s.

This will come as a surprise to absolutely no one who knows me, but I love reading. It’s my favorite way to escape whatever real-world thing is currently stressing me out. I read before bed, when I wake up, and on my lunch break. You get the idea. So when I fell into a three-year-long reading slump, I missed it immediately. I’d pick up a book from my shelves, read a few chapters, and put it back, bored and disappointed. Every so often, I’d actually finish a book but then felt no motivation to read another one. I’m proud to announce this reading slump is long behind me. For the past several years, I’ve completed my reading goal with several months to spare. How? I owe it all to one thing: my Kindle.

Amazon

I spent a lot of time comparing models and landed on the 16 GB Kindle Paperwhite. That 16 GB amounts to thousands of books, so I know I’ll never be without something to read. The adjustable screen and lighting options also mean reading has never been easier on my eyes.

Sale price: $124, including 3-month Kindle Unlimited Subscription After sale: $149

Advertisement

How my Kindle helped me achieve my goals

I know, I know. The idea that an e-reader can help someone read more sounds ludicrous. But when I look back at the year so far, I’ve read 29 books, which is more than I’ve read during my reading slump combined. The only thing that changed between then and now is that I’ve now got my emotional-support Kindle by my side wherever I go. I’m so attached to this little thing that if anything ever happened to it, I would immediately have to replace it. Lost luggage? Purchase number one is a new Kindle. Left it at the coffee shop, and someone else claimed it? New Kindle. My house burned down? You guessed it: new Kindle. Still skeptical? I’ve narrowed it down to three key ways the Kindle has resuscitated the former reader in me:

1. It makes reading easier

There’s no getting around it: Reading on a Kindle is easier than reading physical books. Because I’m downloading e-books rather than purchasing or renting hard copies, I’ve got my entire TBR list at my fingertips whenever I have my Kindle. So, when I finish a book, I don’t have to go to the bookstore or library for my next pick. It’s right there waiting for me.

If having your entire reading list at your fingertips isn’t convenient enough, you can’t deny that having a single small, lightweight device is a million times easier than lugging around a book. I can toss my Kindle in my purse, backpack, or carry-on and barely even notice it’s there. Bonus: There’s no need to choose just one book to take on a trip with you. If you don’t like whatever it is you chose to read, you’ve got endless alternative options.

Probably the biggest selling point for a Kindle is the built-in technology that makes reading easy on your eyes. Because all of the settings are adjustable, I can make the screen brighter or the text bigger if needed. That moody bedside reading nook or bath? With my Kindle, I no longer have to sacrifice ambiance for safe reading light. As someone who loves nothing more than a candlelit evening bath with a book and a glass of wine, this was probably the biggest selling point. As a bonus, I no longer have to worry about getting my books wet. Reading with a Kindle is a game changer all around.

2. Kindle Unlimited gives me an endless library of books to choose from

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Kindle Unlimited has some really great deals. In fact, I’ve maxed out the amount of Kindle Unlimited books I’m allowed to rent at one time—on more than one occasion. The options are that good. Kindle Unlimited has introduced me to so many books I might not have looked at otherwise. And because there are always deals for this subscription, I get access to hundreds (maybe thousands, I haven’t counted) of books for literal pennies. I never have to worry about not having something to read now.

3. It tracks my books for me

I’m a numbers gal through and through. My Kindle links up automatically to my Goodreads account and tracks the books I’m reading without me having to give it a second thought. So, when I log into Goodreads to check my Reading Challenge progress, my Kindle has already done all the legwork for me by uploading what I’ve read and my ratings to my profile.

Tracking books isn’t the only way my Kindle provides me with crucial information. While I’m reading books, Kindle learns how fast I’m reading and can tell me how long it will take me to finish a chapter or even the entire book. As a kid, I was the self-appointed queen of “just five more minutes.” And this is really the adult equivalent. When I’m lying in bed and fighting sleep off to get in just a few more pages, my Kindle is right there with me, telling me just how much farther I have to go. I really can’t stress this enough: I would be absolutely lost without my Kindle.

Shop my Kindle and Kindle accessories

Amazon

I spent a lot of time comparing models and landed on the 16 GB Kindle Paperwhite. That 16 GB amounts to thousands of books, so I know I’ll never be without something to read. The adjustable screen and lighting options also mean reading has never been easier on my eyes.

Sale price: $124, including 3-month Kindle Unlimited Subscription After sale: $149

Advertisement

Amazon

Kindle girlies know, clear cases are the move. Not only can you show off your Kindle’s pretty color, but you can add stickers to the back without actually sticking them to your device, allowing for endless personalization options.

Sale price: $8 After sale: $20

Amazon

A popsocket and Kindle are a match made in heaven. Kindle e-readers are already super convenient, but the addition of a popsocket makes it downright unputdownable.

Amazon

The faux suede finish of this Kindle sleeve is, in my humble opinion, extremely chic. Of course, it also keeps your device safe while you’re out and about.

Advertisement

Sale price: $13 After sale: $23

Amazon

For the girlies who love to read in bed, this Kindle stand is the perfect way to upgrade your setup. Paired with a bluetooth remote, it allows you to read handsfree for ultimate coziness.

Sale price: $25 After sale: $30

Amazon

Paired with a Kindle stand, this bluetooth remote allows you to read completely handsfree. It’s perfect for reading in bed or in your favorite reading chair underneath a warm blanket.

Advertisement

Sale price: $24 After sale: $33

What’s good enough for Jennifer Aniston is good enough for us. So when word broke out that she’s obsessed with the health-tracking device Oura Ring, let’s just say we were pretty much sold right then and there. But being the wellness diehards that we are, we had to put the gadget to the test ourselves (it’s practically our job to weed out the fads from the legit trends, after all). Sure, it makes a solid fashion statement, but does it deliver on all its health metric promises? Could such a small piece of jewelry disguised as wearable technology really accurately measure our sleep patterns, predict our menstrual cycles, and monitor our physical activity? Read on for our editors’ honest reviews of the Oura Ring and whether it lives up to the hype. And since the viral tracker is never on sale, shop it now while it’s 20% off during Amazon Prime Day.

What Is the Oura Ring, and How Does It Work?

From Apple Watches to Fitbits and Whoops to Oura Rings, it seems there’s a tracker for every health-related need and type of health-curious individual out there. So what makes the Oura Ring stand out? For starters, it’s not worn around your wrists like most health-monitoring devices. Rather, it’s a ring that weighs in at just 0.1 pounds and comes in sizes 6-13, two styles, and four to six colors, like silver, black, and gold, depending on the style.

Advertised as inspiring “awareness of the intimate connection between mind and body,” it tracks sleep, activity, recovery, your cycle, and your pregnancy in real-time by measuring from the palm side of your finger (where the pulse signal is strong) and provides three daily scores: sleep, readiness, and activity. According to Oura Ring’s website, “Your scores tell you how your body feels and what your body needs, every second of every day.” In other words, the Oura Ring takes the guesswork out of when it’s time to push yourself, when you need rest and recovery, and when you might be getting sick by taking into consideration 20 different body signals—think: temperature, heart rate, heart rate variability, and sleep—using infrared light, body temperature, and 3D accelerometer sensors. 

Oura’s Infrared Photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor sends light through LEDs into the skin and captures how much light is reflected back from your arteries to determine your heart’s activity, including resting heart rate, heart rate variability (AKA the constant variation in time between your heartbeats), and respiration. Heart rate variability can indicate whether you’re in a relaxed or stressed state. When combined with body temperature, heart rate variability can be used to gather information about sleep. By monitoring your nighttime skin temperature, the Oura Ring takes note of your body temperature, which provides insights into the inner workings of the body, such as how well your body is recovering, if you’re coming down with an illness, or if hormones are hard at work. So that’s the science behind the Oura Ring, but does it actually work in practice? Before we get into our editors’ thoughts on it, let’s dive into its newest features.

Newest Features

Striving to be the ultimate body literacy tool for women at every stage of their lives, Oura unveiled new features and research to empower women to become their own experts and advocates:

• Cycle Insights – The period tracking feature now provides members with more data about their cycles—cycle regularity, typical cycle length, and typical period length—so they can learn patterns and seek care if/when needed, especially those with irregular cycles and women in perimenopause. 
• Cycle Aware Readiness – The algorithm behind Oura’s Readiness Score has been updated to take into account the natural physiological fluctuations that occur throughout the menstrual cycle, such as increased temperature and heart rate and decreased heart rate variability (HRV) during the luteal phase, making it a more accurate measurement of wellness.
• Cycle Insights Share Report – The Cycle Insights Report includes cycle length, period length, temperature variation charts, cycle variability, and more that can be shared with a medical professional to equip women to drive the reproductive care they need. 

Our Editors’ Honest Reviews:

I’ve been an Apple Watch apologist for as long as I can remember. Like everyone else, I got it to track my workouts. Kept it to use the “find my iPhone” function whenever I misplaced my phone five times a day. But I fell off the boat when I was tired of being shamed by my step count and calories burnt (or lack thereof). But the biggest grief I have about my Apple Watch is a pretty shallow one: That thing is tacky as hell and if it didn’t fit the vibes of my office getup, date night fit, or girl’s day uniform, it didn’t make the cut and fed directly into my lack of consistency.

Why I wanted the Oura Ring:

Last summer while on a hot girl walk with my best gal pal, I noticed a new, chunky gold ring sitting prettily on her middle finger. Naturally, because I’m nosy and easily influenced, I waited a mere 30 seconds before I asked where she got it. When I discovered it was a wellness tracker my jaw was on the floor. Before impulsively hitting add to cart, I did my research, weighed the pros and cons, and finally got one for myself almost a whole year later.

My initial attraction to the Oura Ring was the aesthetic. I loved the idea of being able to have consistent tracking, no matter my outfit. And that it didn’t look like an unsightly tracker at all. After learning more about Oura’s insights (particularly, how it tracked your sleep), I knew that was an untapped area of data that I wanted to improve. And that definitely sold me in the end.

How it compares to other tracking I’ve tried:

I’ve had the Oura Ring for almost two months and I’ve been using both the Oura Ring and the Apple Watch simultaneously so that I could get a grasp on how they directly compared. While I prefer the Oura Ring by a decent amount, I will note that the biggest adjustment that I had when switching over was having to open my Oura Ring app instead of relying on a screen from the device itself. As far as actual analytics go, Oura Ring gives you so much more health data than the Apple Watch. I’m talking sleep insights, activity data, and temperature tracking (which is huge if you track your cycle). It pulls so much more data than just calories, steps, and heart rate. Plus, it’s easy on the eyes which makes me much more likely to use it.

My experience:

Before I picked out my Oura Ring size, I used their free ring sizing kit which I highly recommend. Since you’ll be wearing it nearly all day and it’s not adjustable. They note that it works best on your pointer finger. Though, I have seen some users wear them on their middle or ring fingers as well. I sat with the different ring sizes for about a week to be sure and landed on the size seven for my left pointer finger (a bit bigger than my usual size to account for swelling while sleeping and traveling). The app was super easy to navigate and after a few minutes of exploring the intro resources on the app and a quick 90-minute charge for the week, I had a great handle on how it worked to take it for a spin.

What I liked:

To me, the biggest selling point of the Oura Ring is the fact that your numbered goals adjust every day depending on how much your body is recovered. So many times with the Apple Watch I’d be discouraged that in order to feel the validation of closing my rings, I’d have to hit the same goals every day despite a horrible night of sleep, feeling like trash on my period, or being incredibly sore after a hard workout the day before. The Oura Ring adjusts your activity goal each day based on your other analytics. And I’ve found that this has allowed me to work with my body, rather than against it.

The sleep data that the Oura Ring pulls has also been a game-changer for me. Every morning, I click on my app to see my sleep score. If it’s low, I skip my workout for the morning. And use the extra time to snooze or I’ll schedule a nap for later. If it’s optimal, I’ll make the most of my morning and my activity plans for the day. The Oura Ring sleep score is based on your total sleep, time in bed, sleep efficiency (percentage of time spent awake vs. asleep in bed), your resting heart rate, and how long you were in different sleep stages—truly things I never thought about before using this wellness tracker.

I could talk about the pros of the Oura Ring all day: the user-friendly app, the ability to sync with the Natural Cycles app, how long the battery lasts in comparison to how long you have to charge it, the overall look and feel of it, and more. If I could go back and do it all over again, I 100 percent would. After two months of using it, I know I’ve just barely scratched the surface of all it can do like using tags to log my periods, track how I felt, note what I ate/drank, monitor symptoms I experienced on certain dates, keep a record of my emotions, track when I had sex, etc.

What I didn’t like:

The reality is that no tracking device is perfect. And while I love my Oura Ring, there are some things I wish I could change about it. The first is that, atop the lofty price, you do have to pay monthly for the app (after the free trial, it’s $5.99 per month). While you can take advantage of some functions without the app, in order to get the most out of your ring, you’ll definitely want the subscription.

This one is probably user error but I was super excited to link my Oura Ring to the Natural Cycles App. And I attempted to sign up, only to find out there was no way to track if you’re still currently on birth control (guilty as charged). So that perceived benefit is kind of out for me at this phase of my life. If you’re off birth control and in the market, you’re in luck. Just know that this (in addition to paying monthly for the Oura App) is another cost which I’m secretly glad to not have charged to my account at this given moment.

I’ve heard mixed reviews about Oura’s activity tracking and here’s my two cents on it: it’s a little clunky compared to the Apple Watch. Overall, it captures the correct amount of calories burned (compared to the numbers I’m seeing on my Apple Watch). But figuring out how to track my workouts isn’t as easy to figure out and seems to be done retroactively as opposed to in the moment. Once again, could be user error but as a pretty average person, I’d assume others may have trouble here as well.

Another note: Having my Oura Ring and Apple Watch both connected to my iPhone’s Bluetooth absolutely annihilates my phone battery. On an average day, I’m at 59 percent by 10 a.m. So I’m hoping this will get better once I part ways with my Apple Watch.

Final verdict:

Knowing I had 30 days to return what I consider to be a large investment, I was reviewing the Oura Ring super critically and it still passed all of my tests. This tracker is more intuitive than trackers I’ve used in the past and has motivated my wellness journey without making me obsess over it. I love how inconspicuous it is and how much it’s helped me to take accountability for my health beyond my activity tracking. And for those reasons and more, I’ll be an Oura Ring stan forevermore.

I have to begin this honest review with full transparency: I am morally against activity trackers. Not to yuck anyone’s yum (because at the end of the day, I believe the most important health rule is you do you), but I have seen too many clients develop unhealthy relationships with their FitBits and Apple Watches: feeling bad about themselves if they didn’t “burn enough calories,” pushing through their body screaming at them to rest just to get the points, or feeling like a workout doesn’t “count” if you didn’t track it.

I also believe the wellness industry has taught us for so long that we are not the experts of our own bodies; we need to buy supplements, follow diets or workout programs, and track steps and calories to affirm if we are healthy or not healthy. I worry that all these devices and programs and products are deprogramming the ability to listen to our own bodies. A fact I know to be true: Our bodies are always communicating with us what they need to be healthy–no device needed. I totally get that people like numbers and measurable goals to get them motivated to move more or get to bed earlier. But my inner health coach really wants to ask, why aren’t you motivated for simply the reason that your body feels good? I digress. 

So that is why I also wanted Ashley to share her honest review, so you, dear reader, could hear multiple different angles to ultimately decide for yourself what does and does not deserve to be part of your healthiest life.

With that all being said, I am also a big believer in testing instead of guessing when it comes to your health. So I was intrigued by the Oura Ring’s claims to track a number of functions to get a more holistic view–a major upgrade from the step tracker and heart rate monitor predecessors. Since the Oura Ring has caught so much buzz (among our office and across the country), I wanted to try it out for myself to see if it is a beneficial tool for optimal health, or if it’s yet another expense that causes more stress than wellbeing. Ahead, my experience (as open-minded as possible, I swear!). 

Why I wanted the Oura Ring:

The main appeal to me was how it tracks temperature. Since going off of oral birth control a year ago, I’ve been using Natural Cycles to track my ovulation (for pregnancy prevention and cycle syncing purposes to know which phase I’m in) by taking my temperature with a thermometer under my tongue every morning and manually plug it into the app. But there was some user error (mostly since there were many mornings I forgot) so I was intrigued that the Oura Ring automatically tracked temperature–and probably with more accuracy. 

I also liked the idea of a “readiness score” since it acknowledges your body is different every day (something those other trackers don’t take into account), and I was curious about sleep tracking too. Plus, the app also has guided meditations, breathwork, and sleep sounds, which I knew I would definitely use. I’m down for anything that has a more well-rounded approach (AKA rest and stress relief is just as–if not more–important than activity) rather than the toxic productivity of fitness trackers past.

How it compares to other tracking I’ve tried:

No surprise, I have limited personal experience with other activity trackers, besides a heart rate monitor I used for OrangeTheory and spinning workouts through college and my early 20s when I mistakenly believed the calorie-burn number it gave me dictated whether or not I worked hard enough (read: whether or not I could feel good about myself that day). I have also used the SleepCycle app in the past, which I started a few years ago when I was waking up from eight hours of sleep still feeling exhausted. The app would measure sleep cycles (light, REM, or deep) via vibes your body gives off..?? (IDK the science. But now that I think about it, I’m curious…)

So the Oura Ring is way more accurate since it’s on your body and tracking via heart rate, temperature, blood oxygen levels, etc. You also get a lot more insight into your sleep, like the exact time you spend in each sleep cycle, time asleep, average oxygen saturation, heart rate, breathing regularity, sleep efficiency, etc. 

My experience:

The fit and physical ring: There’s no denying that the Oura Ring is 10 times chicer and more practical than its competitors. I couldn’t keep on a watch or tracking bracelet every day even if I wanted to (and ruin a good outfit!?) but a chic ring that could easily pass for a piece of jewelry? Sold. I’m used to wearing rings, so I barely even noticed it was there after a couple of days. It is definitely worth using their free sizing kit because you want the ring to fit perfectly if it’s going to be on your finger 24/7. I went with a size 8 for my middle finger (my regular size).

Also, charging is NBD (I was worried about this part because I forget to charge things often). There’s a little stand (no plugging the device in, just place it over the holder) that I set the ring on while I brush my teeth every night. It says it takes about 20 minutes to fully charge and the battery lasts for about a week, so you could also just do one charging session per week. But I find it super easy to do a couple-minute spurts of charging daily. 

The app: I do not want to spend more time on my phone than I need to. But the app was pretty easy to figure out. I also loved how you could click on anything and it would explain in-depth (but in layman’s terms) what it means. I think this is super important since it’s teaching you to understand your body, rather than depending on a score to give you a thumbs up or thumbs down. Another factor I liked: When clicking on what different numbers mean, it often says “It is recommended that you follow your long-term regularity, rather than just one day’s data” which probably no one else reads beside me but I liked because it’s reminding you not to panic about one day’s “poor” score–the body is a holistic being and should be viewed as such. No fear-mongering here! 

What I liked:

The temperature tracking is certainly a game-changer. The Oura Ring connects to the Natural Cycles app. So I don’t need to remember to track my temperature–my temperature shows up every morning (and is probably more accurate than a thermometer). The Oura Ring app does have its own “Period Predictions Section” to predict when you get your period, and tells you which day of your cycle you’re on (I’m on day 22 right now–you’re welcome), but the Natural Cycles app itself is slightly more accurate when it comes to period predictions (but that may be because it has a year’s worth of data for my cycle, rather than a few months like Oura). So the Oura Ring wouldn’t replace other ovulation/period tracking apps for me, but it helps with the tracking and providing basic insights.

The sleep insight was also interesting. It could be very beneficial for people who think they’re getting enough sleep but still don’t feel well-rested because it may give you insight into why (i.e. is it taking a long time to fall asleep? Are you not spending enough time in deep sleep? Is your sleep time optimal, but your sleep efficiency is low?). Of course, it doesn’t actually fix the problem. But it does give you more insight to bring to your doctor to find a solution. Part of me still thinks, you already know if you get optimal sleep or not–your body tells you if you’re well rested or need more/better sleep, but I understand that having the specific insight into what exactly is off may be helpful when trying to identify next steps to solve a problem.

The “readiness” was also an interesting feature–it gives you insight into whether you can do a tough HIIT workout and tackle a difficult project, or if your body needs to take it slow and rest (again, something I think we can figure out on our own if we just listen to our bodies, but I get it–sometimes we don’t listen). Also if you consistently get low readiness days, it can serve as a good wakeup call to take better care of yourself, which is helpful too in a world where people regularly reach burnout like it’s NBD. 

What I didn’t like:

You knew this was coming: the activity tracking was not my fav. But let me tell you why. I walk a lot most days. I like to think I’m pretty good at getting in movement. Even on days when I would walk on my desk treadmill for 45 minutes, do a 60-minute workout class, take my dog out a few times, and get up and move around the apartment consistently to take work breaks (not to brag), it would still say I was at 7,000ish steps. Maybe it’s just me being overly confident, but I think it had to be way more than that, so I’m guessing the step count isn’t the most accurate. But also, let’s say it is accurate–I moved as much as I possibly could to feel good without feeling depleted. I don’t need an objective number telling me I needed to do more.

Also, the notification to get up and move around when I’ve been sitting for “too long?” I don’t need that kind of negativity. The truth is that yes, it’s important to live a less sedentary life and the reminder can be helpful here and there. But there are a lot of times when I know relaxing is actually the option that’s better for my body. Like when I’m on day one of my period, or am feeling depleted and rewatching Vanderpump Rules for the fifth time would make me feel better than getting up and moving my body.

Final verdict:

I’ll probably still wear the Oura Ring when I sleep (to keep an eye on my patterns to identify any issues as they come up in the future and to track my cycle). But I don’t know if I feel the need to wear it during the day to track fitness levels. I admit, I felt satisfaction when I hit the “activity goal” but I also had to check in with myself–if I didn’t have a score or an app telling me “good job!” would my body feel good about the amount of movement I did that day? Would it tell me it wanted more or less? To me, that gives me a better chance of reaching my optimal wellness than a number or score.

I know I sound like a broken record, but listening to my body will always come before listening to a device. If you can take the helpful parts (sleep insights, temperature tracking, etc.) and leave behind the negative parts (movement alerts when you don’t want to) then I believe the Oura Ring could be a useful tool in understanding your body more. However, be super honest with yourself, and make sure you’re not becoming so obsessed with getting “good scores” that you stop listening to your body, or worse, go against what your body is telling you. 

Oura

Classic, plateau design. Available in four colors.

Advertisement

20% off for Prime Day!

Oura

Sleek, uninterrupted design. Available in six colors.

20% off for Prime Day!

Possibly the quickest way to ruin your day is waking up to find that your beloved pet left you a not-so-fun surprise on your living room rug. Not to be dramatic, but this is when panic mode sets in. A million thoughts are probably running through your head, “I knew I shouldn’t have bought that organic dog food. Where the hell is that cleaning spray? Am I seriously crying right now? There has to be an easier way to do this.” We’re sorry to break it to you mid-breakdown, but there actually is a better way to clean up pet accidents—and any other type of mess on your carpet or upholstery.

If you’ve been on any corner of the internet, you’ve probably heard the endless buzz about Bissell’s Little Green Machine. It’s a small, portable cleaning machine specifically made to clean up messes on carpet, upholstery, and other soft surfaces. Though your pet may be looking at you so innocently as you ferociously spray their blowout and pray it doesn’t stain, the truth is, this will probably happen again. With the Little Green Machine, cleaning up accidents becomes a breeze and honestly quite satisfying. Everygirl editors Garri and Ashley have been devout Little Green Machine users for some time now, and they’ve got a lot to say about this powerful cleaning machine. And since it’s currently on sale for Prime Day, there’s no better time to buy.

Here are our honest thoughts on the super-popular carpet and upholstery cleaner, including whether it’s really worth your money.

Garri Chaverst, Senior Managing Editor

Pets: Two dogs, Olive and Otis

Uses the Little Green Machine on: Everything! Carpets, couches—my husband has used it to clean out our car and it works so well.

Where does it go when not in use? Our cleaning supply closet.

Ashley Selleke, Branded Content Managing Editor

Pets: Three cats (I don’t know how I ended up here either): Gizmo, Gus, and Ruby

Advertisement

Uses the Little Green Machine on: Carpet and couches

Where does it go when not in use? Under the sink. It’s pretty bulky, but I’d get rid of other items before this—it has SECURED its spot.

What does the Little Green Machine do?

Amazon | Bissell

Sale price: $81 After sale: $123

This powerful little machine suctions up messes and cleans stains on any kind of upholstery. That includes (but isn’t limited to) carpeting, area rugs, upholstered furniture, and car interiors. It has a tank that holds your cleaning solution and an attached hose with a brush that you use to spray and scrub. To get started, you fill the tank with a cleaning solution and hot water, attach it back to the machine, turn it on, and voilà, it’s time to get to work. To clean, you use the trigger on the handle of the brush to spray the solution, scrub it with the brush, and then use the vacuum head attachment to suction the cleaning solution and any residue back into the machine. It’s almost like the stain was never even there.

What is the best part about the Little Green Machine?

Both Garri and Ashley say that the Little Green Machine’s best feature is its ease and function when tackling a stain. “The vacuum feature is everything to me because I don’t have to risk touching any poo or vomit,” Ashley said. Plus, you don’t have to worry about keeping multiple products or tools on hand for different surfaces. “It’s really a one-and-done solution for spills,” Garri said.

Believe it or not, both say it’s so satisfying to clean up spills with this machine that they almost look forward to using it. “It turned something that used to make me cry into something I can tackle with a bit of zest,” Ashley said. “It’s satisfying and kind of fun to use!”

When not in use, it can fit comfortably under the sink or in a closet, which is ideal for keeping it nearby in case anything goes awry. Both Ashley and Garri use their Little Green Machine a couple of times a month, so the cost-per-use has already paid for itself tenfold.

What solution goes in the Little Green Machine?

Bissell sells their own cleaning solution for this machine, which they recommend using so you don’t damage it. Garri specifically uses their Spot & Stain with Febreze Freshness because it not only removes stains but eliminates odors as well.

Can it be used on rugs and couches?

The Little Green Machine can be used on anything that is upholstered. From rugs to couches to chairs, hell, even a dog bed or your mattress can benefit from a once-over with this bad boy every so often.

Who should buy the Little Green Machine?

To put it simply, anyone with a pet. Pet accidents are bound to happen, especially if you’re going through a transition with a new pet. Garri purchased hers after her dog, Otis, started having frequent accidents in the house, causing her to scrub away at her carpet, rugs, and couch one too many times, as did Ashley when she went through the same thing with her cat, Gus. While you may get through the potty-training stage with ease (and hopefully not too many accidents), having this machine on hand is great for any messes that slip through the cracks.

If you’re inclined to spill or have kids, it’s also a handy little tool to have on hand so you don’t have to stress about potentially ruining every upholstered surface in your house.

Amazon | Bissell

Sale price: $81 After sale: $123

MEET THE AUTHOR

Bella Gil, Associate Commerce Editor

Because shopping is quite literally her full-time job, Bella is dedicated to making sure you spend your hard-earned money on products you’ll fall in love with. She spends her days testing, researching, and writing about a wide range of topics, from beauty products to rug cleaners and everything in between.