Summary of "8. Rachel Irwin: Paying attention to and in the body: self-tracking and self-monitoring devices"

Key Wellness Strategies and Self-Care Techniques

Self-Tracking and Self-Monitoring:
- Understanding the long history of measuring health, including growth curves and BMI.
- Recognizing how self-tracking devices mediate our experiences and affect behavior.
- Awareness of societal norms regarding what is considered "normal" or "healthy."
Ethnographic Research:
- Utilizing participant observation and interviews to study self-tracking practices.
- Engaging with communities (e.g., gyms, Strava users) to understand the social aspects of self-tracking.
Types of Self-Tracking:
- Exercise and leisure tracking (e.g., using fitness devices like Fitbits).
- Medical monitoring (e.g., diabetes management with glucose monitors).
- biohacking for personal health optimization.
Quantified Self Movement:
- Exploring self-tracking as a form of self-experimentation and community engagement.
- Participation in meetups and sharing personal experiences related to health data.
Health Data Ownership and Responsibility:
- Shift in responsibility from healthcare providers to individuals regarding health management.
- The potential stress and anxiety associated with self-monitoring and the pressure to perform healthily.
Critical Perspectives on Self-Tracking:
- Examining the psychological impacts and societal pressures linked to self-tracking.
- Concerns over the accuracy of health devices and the implications of data sharing with tech companies.
Balancing Technology and Bodily Awareness:
- The importance of trusting one's own bodily experiences alongside technological data.
- Discussion on the implications of striving for eternal youth and the societal responsibility toward health.