In today’s digital age, wearable technology like smartwatches and fitness trackers promises an easy way to stay connected and track our health. Whether it’s monitoring our heart rate, counting steps, or receiving notifications on the go, these devices offer convenience and insight into our well-being. But with all this connectivity comes a hidden cost: electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure.
The question we need to ask is: Do we really need to be connected 24/7—to the point where we have our phones effectively strapped to our wrists? For me, the answer is no. I have used an Oura Ring for the past two years, which I wear 24/7 on airplane mode to track my sleep, stress, and activity levels. It gives me everything I need without the constant radiation. On top of that, I’m always protected from other forms of EMF with Aires Tech devices. This balance allows me to stay connected in ways that matter while safeguarding my health.
Here, we’ll dive into the various levels of EMF exposure from wearables, explain why the Oura Ring is a healthier choice, and share tips on maintaining a connected lifestyle without sacrificing your well-being.
The Problem with Wearables: Constant Connectivity and EMF Exposure
Most modern wearables, like smartwatches and fitness trackers, rely on Bluetooth, WiFi, and sometimes cellular connections to sync data and esend notifications. These signals emit non-ionizing radiation, a form of EMF, which, over time, can accumulate and potentially cause harm.
The Apple Watch is a prime example. It acts as an extension of your iPhone, delivering notifications, messages, emails, and even phone calls straight to your wrist. This constant stream of connectivity means it’s emitting EMFs every minute you’re wearing it. And if you’re like many users who wear their watch all day and even to bed, that’s a lot of exposure.
Sure, the Apple Watch allows you to activate airplane mode to reduce EMF emissions, but doing so disables most of its core features, like notifications and apps—things that many users rely on. This brings up an important question: Do we really need this level of connectivity attached to our bodies 24/7?
For me, the answer is no. I’m already battling the addiction to constant connectedness with my iPhone. The last thing I want is to have that constant connection wrapped around my wrist as well. There are healthier ways to stay connected and track what’s most important without bathing in radiation.
EMF Exposure: Long-Term Risks to Consider
While many people are quick to dismiss the dangers of EMF exposure, emerging research is showing that the risks are real and should not be ignored, especially with the constant use of wearable technology. Here are some of the long-term effects of EMF exposure:
Impacts on the Blood-Brain Barrier: EMF radiation can weaken the blood-brain barrier, a critical defense system that prevents harmful substances from entering the brain. When this barrier is compromised, it can lead to increased vulnerability to toxins and even neurodegenerative conditions.
Disruption of the Body’s Detox Pathways: EMF exposure can interfere with your body’s natural detox pathways by contributing to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and circadian rhythm disruption. This can hinder your body’s ability to remove toxins, leading to a buildup of harmful substances that affect overall health.
Potential Carcinogen: The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies radiofrequency radiation as “possibly carcinogenic,” meaning that long-term exposure could increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer, such as brain tumors.
Measuring EMF Exposure: How Much Is Too Much?
To understand how much EMF radiation these wearables are emitting, we look at SAR (Specific Absorption Rate) values. SAR measures the rate at which the body absorbs radiation from electronic devices.
Here’s a comparison of SAR values for popular wearables:
- Oura Ring: 0.0003 W/kg (measured over 1 gram of tissue).
- Apple Watch Series 9 (GPS + Cellular): 1.15 W/kg (measured over 1 gram of tissue).
- Apple Watch Ultra: 0.93 W/kg (measured over 1 gram of tissue).
- Samsung Galaxy Watch 5: 0.64 W/kg (measured over 1 gram of tissue).
- Fitbit: declines to publicly provide this information (I would estimate it’s less than Apple and Samsung Watch, but much higher than an Oura Ring).
The Oura Ring emits significantly less radiation than the Apple Watch and Samsung Galaxy Watch. While these wearables all fall under the FCC’s SAR limit of 1.6 W/kg, the Oura Ring’s exceptionally low EMF output makes it a far safer option for long-term wear, especially if you wear it on airplane mode like I do.
Why SAR Values Don’t Tell the Full Story
SAR measurements, while useful, don’t capture the full scope of potential EMF risks. SAR focuses on thermal effects (how much the device heats your tissue), but it doesn’t account for other potential biological effects, such as oxidative stress, which has been linked to long-term EMF exposure.
Moreover, SAR values are often calculated under laboratory conditions that don’t reflect how we actually use these devices in real life. For instance, the Apple Watch may be tested at a slight distance from the skin, but in daily use, it’s typically strapped tightly to the wrist for hours at a time, potentially increasing exposure.
That’s why it’s crucial to adopt a more holistic approach to EMF safety—not just relying on SAR values, but also considering lifestyle habits and EMF protection devices.
The Oura Ring: A Healthier Alternative to Constant Connectivity
I’ve chosen the Oura Ring for my own health tracking because it strikes the perfect balance. It offers everything I need—tracking my sleep, stress, and activity—while keeping my EMF exposure at a minimum. The best part? I keep it on airplane mode 24/7, so there’s virtually no EMF exposure, but it still tracks all my essential data, which I can sync to my phone when necessary.
Unlike the Apple Watch, which sacrifices core features in airplane mode, the Oura Ring maintains full functionality for what it’s designed to do: monitor your health. It doesn’t try to be a mini-smartphone. Instead, it focuses on what really matters: your well-being.
Practical Tips for Reducing EMF Exposure
If you’re not ready to give up your smartwatch or fitness tracker, there are steps you can take to minimize your EMF exposure while staying connected.
Use Airplane Mode: Whether it’s your phone or your wearable, turning on airplane mode when you don’t need constant connectivity is a simple way to cut down on EMF exposure. I keep my Oura Ring on airplane mode all day and only sync it when I want to view my data.
Limit Wear Time: If you wear a smartwatch, try limiting the time it’s on your wrist. Consider only using it during workouts or for specific health tracking, instead of having it on all day and night.
Avoid Sleeping with Devices: Wearing a fitness tracker or smartwatch to bed can interfere with your sleep due to EMF exposure. If sleep tracking is important to you, devices like the Oura Ring, which emits very low radiation, are a better option.
Save 25% on all Aires Tech products with code “kyletothemoon” Use EMF Protection Devices: I always use Aires Tech devices to protect myself from EMF exposure. Aires Tech offers products designed to neutralize harmful radiation from your devices, whether it’s your phone, laptop, or wearable. This way, I can still stay connected when I choose, but I know I’m mitigating the negative effects.
Create Distance from Devices: Keep your phone and other EMF-emitting devices away from your body when you’re not using them. For instance, instead of keeping your phone in your pocket, place it in a bag or on a desk when possible.
For more information on Aires Tech products and how they work, check out my comparison article:
Comparing Aires Tech EMF Protection: Functionality and Choices
Staying Connected—Wisely
It’s no secret that we live in a hyper-connected world. Between our smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, and other devices, we’re surrounded by technology that’s designed to keep us plugged in 24/7. But being constantly connected comes with risks, and it’s up to us to find a healthier balance.
For me, the Oura Ring gives me the health insights I care about, while Aires Tech protects me from the harmful effects of EMFs. This combination allows me to stay informed and connected, but on my terms—without the constant radiation or the overwhelming addiction to being always online.
We don’t need to sacrifice our health to stay connected. By being mindful of our tech use and incorporating tools like EMF protection devices, we can enjoy the best of both worlds.
