Sponsored
The Health Diaries: How the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 supports my recovery
Sponsored By
Performance-led runner and member of Ireland’s elite racing community, Adrienne Murphy tests the Samsung Watch8 to see how it can help support her recovery. Wearing it for six weeks, she reports back on how the Watch8 acts as her trusted training partner, offering invaluable insights to guide, and improve, her training.
Low energy levels, poor mood, brain fog and lack of productivity – these are all familiar feelings to me. I’m sure at some point you’ve felt the weight of burnout or simply pouring from an empty cup. I really dislike that feeling, that sense of being completely wiped out with nothing left to give. It’s something I’ve encountered at various times throughout my life. While it’s inevitable that we’ll catch little bugs or colds that zap our energy now and then, I want to live a life filled with vitality and show up with positive energy every single day.
Before I delve into my approach to recovery, I must start with one of my favourite topics – sleep. I think sleeping could quite possibly be one of my favourite pastimes and I strongly believe recovery starts here! But, I’ve also learned that simply going to bed on time and hoping to wake up feeling fresh isn’t enough. Recovery stems much deeper than this and we have more control over setting our bodies up for success if we pay attention to our individual needs. This is where my Samsung Galaxy Watch8 has become a game-changer, providing insights that have significantly impacted my recovery journey.
My watch tracks my sleep stages – how long I spend in light, deep, and REM sleep – and provides a morning report that highlights what went well and what I can improve. It has become a morning ritual of mine to check in on my report and allow some key insights, like my overall energy and sleep scores, to drive my plan for the day – especially where my workouts are concerned. For example, if I receive a low energy score below 70, or perhaps my HRV (heart rate variability) is lower than usual, and if my vascular load reading is on the higher side, this information will usually help me to tailor the type of workout planned that day. Sometimes, I will substitute a gym session with an easy-paced walk with my kids and dogs.
When I think about life before children, there was more time to focus on improved recovery. Regular yoga classes, physio sessions, massages, acupuncture, saunas, red light therapy; I loved this ‘me’ time and I was a big fan of it all. If you’re in a position to include even some of this in your week or month, do it! Right now, my life looks a little different with two smallies; I simply don’t have the same level of free time.
I love my new chapter, but there are certain elements out of my control (including more disturbed sleep and lower energy scores as a result), so I have tried to reshape what recovery looks like and include bite-sized recovery tactics, so that my body and mind still benefit even if I’m not getting as many hours of sleep as I had hoped.
My Samsung Galaxy Watch8 uses the data it collects to suggest my ideal bedtime, and its sleep coach feature offers recommendations based on my trends. To kick off the wind-down process, I dim the lights in our house an hour before the kids go to bed, which has positively influenced my own ability to relax and fall asleep faster. I’ve found that a cooler bedroom makes for a more comfortable and deeper sleep. Then, to point out the more obvious, it’s also helped to swap late-night scrolling on my phone for reading and to have earlier dinners instead of late-night meals – these changes have definitely boosted my sleep score.
Adrienne’s recovery tips
Life is busy for everyone, with or without kids, and we often prioritise the needs of others over our own well-being. For me, the key lies in habit stacking and implementing bite-sized recovery tactics. Here are some easy-to-follow tips I’ve found helpful in optimising recovery…
- Stay hydrated: I always keep a water bottle close by – whether it’s by my bed, beside my laptop, or in the car. I aim to drink 500ml of water before my morning coffee to kickstart my hydration.
- Active recovery: This is now a staple in my training week. I rely on my energy scores from the Samsung Watch8 to guide me. A quick five-minute stretch in the evening, while playing with the kids, serves as my substitute for the longer yoga sessions I used to have. Plus, spending time in nature is crucial for calming my busy mind. A slow walk with my kids and dogs fills this for me.
- Practice mindfulness: My mindfulness practice has evolved. Now, I find myself practising mindfulness while out walking rather than during a planned session on my yoga mat.
- Nutrition and supplementation: Fuelling my body with the right nutrients is essential for recovery. I strive for balance as much as possible. Batch cooking has been a lifesaver! Alongside my post-pregnancy supplements and a magnesium drink before bed, these habits significantly contribute to my recovery.
Finally, I’ve learned that recovery isn’t about making just one decision; it really is a multi-pronged approach. Listening to your own body is key and taking time to understand your personal insights over time will positively impact your recovery and enhance your overall performance.
With the Samsung Galaxy Watch8, your everyday movements go much further. Using the power of Galaxy AI, the watch becomes your personal run coach, vascular health monitor, and recovery guide, so you can track, train and improve your overall performance. Over the coming months, Adrienne will be trialling the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 and sharing her fitness and training journey on IMAGE.ie.
Also Read
