My Oura Ring Knew He Wasn’t The One Before I Did

Have you ever been on a weekend getaway with someone and thought, “Hey, maybe there’s something here,” only to have your gut—or, in my case, your Oura ring—tell you otherwise? I have. And let me tell you, science doesn’t lie.

I had friend-zoned this guy months ago. You know the type: charming, polite, fairly intelligent, and just interesting enough to make you think, “What if?” He was an art dealer with a passion for rock climbing, and I thought, “Okay, that’s different”. There wasn’t exactly a spark when we first met, but I thought, why not give it a shot? Maybe a weekend trip would reveal some hidden depth. So, when he suggested a getaway to Sicily, I said yes. I mean, who says no to Sicily, right?

Fast forward to day one of our mini-vacation. As we strolled through the sun-drenched streets of Taormina, surrounded by ancient architecture and the intoxicating scent of citrus, I felt a subtle tension creeping over me. “Must be the jet lag,” I told myself. Or maybe it was the three green teas I downed trying to match his boundless energy.

But by the time we were exploring the ruins of the Valley of the Temples, I started to notice something else. Every art factoid he dropped, every enthusiastic recounting of his latest rock climbing adventure, just left me cold. He was a walking paradox—an art dealer who could climb any mountain, yet had the depth of a shallow puddle. And don’t even get me started on his stories about “the one that got away” from his latest climb. They were thrilling the first time, but by the fifth retelling, I was more interested in the Greek ruins than in any more of his vertical escapades.

I tried to shake it off. “You’re just being picky,” I mused. “You’re in Sicily! Relax and enjoy the scenery. Maybe it’s just nerves.” So, I forced a smile, engaged in more dull conversation about his two passions (as if they were the only two things that defined a person), and tried to ignore the growing sense of unease. After all, he was well-mannered, smart enough, and could tell a decent story (the first time, anyway). What more could a girl ask for?

Then came the Oura ring revelation.

For those of you who don’t know, the Oura ring is this sleek little piece of wearable tech that tracks your sleep, activity, and overall health. It’s like having a tiny, unobtrusive life coach on your finger. I hadn’t been paying much attention to it over the weekend, but as I lay in bed that night, my curiosity got the better of me.

I opened the app, and there it was: “Stress detected for 11.5 hours today.” ELEVEN POINT FIVE HOURS. I had been with him for 12 hours that day. Let that sink in. My body had been in a state of stress almost the entire time I was in his presence.

Now, I’m no scientist, but when your heart rate variability is screaming, “Get out of here!” for nearly half a day, you listen. This wasn’t just a gut feeling. This was cold, hard data.

I thought back to every awkward silence, every forced laugh, every moment I glanced at the clock hoping it was closer to our departure. The signs were there, clear as day. My body knew this guy wasn’t right for me before my brain caught up.

By the end of the trip, I was done. No amount of sunshine, wine, or Sicilian charm could mask the fact that I felt more stressed with him than I did during my busiest workweek back home. As I boarded the plane, I found myself breathing such a sigh of relief.

And when I finally landed, I felt as if I’d just had a three-hour deep tissue massage—my muscles were so relaxed, I could barely push my luggage. I checked the app one last time, just to confirm. “Recovery: optimal.” You bet it was.

So here’s the thing, ladies (and gentlemen, if you’re reading): If you’re ever in doubt about whether someone is right for you, check your data. Listen to your body. Because sometimes, our brains can be swayed by charm, good looks, or the idea of what could be. But our bodies? They’re way smarter than we give them credit for.

And as I waved goodbye to Mr. Two-Dimensional and drove home with a clear head and an even clearer heart, I couldn’t help but chuckle. Who knew my love life would be saved by a little piece of tech on my finger?

So here’s to the Oura ring, my unexpected matchmaker. You might just be my new best friend.