Spire is the little peddle-shaped device that touts the ability to track your stress levels.

Worn next to your stomach or on your bra, the Spire tracks breathing patterns to figure out your stress levels. According to the Spire algorithm, as your breathing changes, your state of tension changes. Shorter, quicker breathes signal tension, while the slower, steadier one’s indicate calm. I tested the device for one month before writing this review.

A few days after getting the Spire I had a flight to Dallas. I tell myself that flying doesn’t make me tense. The Spire felt otherwise. On average the spire was clocking me in at 45 minutes of tension per day, but on flight day the number shot up to 152 minutes.

Tension triggers cortisol releases, it directly hurts sleep and longevity. Wearing the Spire has the effect of putting a focus on tension, which is probably the most important step in cutting it down. Quantifying stress is a great twist on the wearable tracker.

But there’s a hidden gem in the Spire that might be more valuable.

This is the only tracker I’ve tested that puts your sedentary numbers front and center. 152 minutes of tension is bad, but stats showing 497 sedentary (much of that being flight and commute time) scared me more. Sitting all day leads to a growing snowball of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal issues. All the kale and kombucha in the world won’t save me from my sedentary self.

This tracker reminded me to have movement snacks (bathroom stretch breaks) throughout the day. It forced me to take longer lunch walks before running back to stuff my face at the desk, to get off one stop earlier and walk the few extra blocks after work.

Health isn’t just about walking more, but sitting less. Life is about nuanced proportion and balance, and the Spire is a unique wearable reminding us of that depth.

Find the Spire on Amazon.

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