Who: Hemang K., age 45; tech investor; San Francisco, California
Helpful Oura tip: Hemang analyzes his Sleep Score contributors each morning — especially REM sleep, a stage of sleep that helps regulate emotions. If it’s on the low side, he evaluates his work schedule and considers rescheduling meetings if possible.
What led you to become an Oura member?
I was a curious biohacker who had experienced a transformational shift in my well-being from practicing meditation. I wanted to find a technology that could track what was happening in my body. That’s when I discovered Oura Ring — nine years ago! I was also living in Finland at the time, where Oura was founded.
Oura stood out due to its breakthrough form factor, technology, and comprehensive data analysis. It has incredibly accurate algorithms and an informative, easy user experience on the app.
My Oura Ring Gen3 is now three years old, and has survived swims, saunas, workouts, travel, and everyday life — my 3-year-old even threw it in the toilet!
What are the most surprising things you’ve learned about yourself with Oura?
My journey with Oura has been transformative, both as a dad and in my personal health. A few lessons I’ve learned:
1. Sleep is fundamental.
I’ve learned about the importance of high-quality sleep and how it directly impacts my energy levels, productivity, and parenting. I practice good sleep hygiene and use magnesium and ashwagandha to help me get more deep sleep.
2. Knowing more about my heart health has been reassuring.
I feel younger and stronger than I did 12 years ago, and the heart health features have supported this! My Cardiovascular Age on Oura is five years below my actual age. And that’s despite years of compromised sleep from becoming a father!
I believe this is a testament to the fact that the body is adaptable and can recover from temporary sleep loss. Other healthy habits, like a consistent exercise schedule, fasting (I do the 16/8 method), close and caring relationships, and a reduction in my alcohol intake have also contributed to my good heart health metrics.
3. I’m better equipped to handle stress.
I’ve become more aware of my daily stress levels. I’ve learned the effects of stress and the necessity of managing it through mindfulness and relaxation techniques.
| Member Tip: Find simple meditations and breathing exercises to help combat stress and relax your mind in Explore content within the Oura App. |
4. I can adjust my fitness routine to maximize my performance.
By monitoring my activity levels, heart rate variability, and Readiness Score with Oura, I’ve optimized my workouts and recovery times, leading to better performance and fewer injuries. For example, if I don’t get enough deep sleep, I’ll change my planned routine to prioritize recovery instead.
5. I can also adjust my work schedule based on my sleep.
Oura has taught me that it’s essential to recognize the impact of sleep deprivation, especially when faced with work or child-related stress. I now preach that meetings are, in fact, reschedulable.
“My journey with Oura has been transformative, both as a dad and in my personal health.”
What are some other ways you use Oura to optimize your productivity at work?
I invest in early-stage technology companies and advise small venture funds and startup founders. My daily work involves reviewing business plans, collaborating with technical talent, attending meetings and conferences, networking, and deep market analysis. A good night’s sleep is a must to fuel this work!
I analyze my Sleep and Readiness Scores each morning, especially the REM sleep contributor. Because REM sleep plays a key role in emotional regulation, I know how well-prepared I am for potentially stressful conversations that day. On days when my REM sleep contributor is high, I feel more energized and can handle more demanding meetings. If my REM sleep is lower, I may feel less prepared and may even reschedule certain tasks altogether.
This personalized approach has allowed me to improve my daytime recovery, feel significantly more creative, and be more effective as a dad while managing my work and home responsibilities.
| Member Tip: When you check your Sleep Score, you’ll see seven unique sleep contributors, including total sleep, efficiency, restfulness, and more, offering a holistic view of your overall sleep quality. |
How has Oura helped you manage sleep as a new parent?
Becoming a dad (twice!) has been an incredible experience, but it certainly came with changes in my sleep patterns. My sleep became more fragmented and less consistent, especially in the early days. I experienced a drop in deep sleep and a temporary increase in REM sleep, throwing off my sleep architecture.
Oura was instrumental during this time. It helped me monitor my sleep quality and recovery, even with the disruptions. I also learned to prioritize rest and recovery on days when I needed it the most, ultimately helping me maintain my well-being amidst the demands of parenthood.
Nowadays, there are times during the week when my kids sleep really well in their own beds in their own rooms. I’ve noticed a strong correlation between these nights and my fully recovered sleep, indicated by a lower-than-average resting heart rate (RHR).
Overall, Oura helps me optimize my life and get the most out of my day — and time is the scarcest commodity as a parent!
RELATED: Sleep 101 for New Parents
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