Closing your Apple Watch rings can lower less stress, improve sleep – and win you prizes

Closing your Apple Watch’s activity rings could be good for your health. That’s according to a new data analysis in the Apple Heart and Movement Study, which found positive associations between activity rings’ closure and sleep, heart health, and mental well-being. 

The analysis of data, contributed by more than 140,000 participants, found that people who regularly closed their activity rings were 48% less likely to wake up frequently during the night, 73% less likely to experience an elevated resting heart rate, and 57% less likely to report elevated stress. 

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While Apple’s Heart and Movement Study’s findings are new, the notion that exercise is good for your sleep, heart, and stress isn’t. Smartwatches and fitness trackers like the Apple Watch encourage healthy and active behavior through constant reminders and incentives to exercise and make health-minded lifestyle decisions. That’s especially top of mind ahead of the Apple Watch’s 10th anniversary on April 24. 

On the smartwatch’s birthday, Apple Watch users can earn a Global Close Your Rings Day limited-edition award and an animated sticker for Messages by closing their activity rings. Go on a bike ride, get your steps in on a long walk, or swim laps in a pool; then share your activity using #CloseYourRings on social media. 

If a user closes all three activity rings  — Move, Exercise, and Stand — they will earn a limited-edition award, 10 animated stickers, and an animated badge for Messages. On top of that, users can go to the Apple Store starting April 24 to pick up a pin inspired by Global Close Your Rings Day. 

“Apple Watch has changed the way people think about, monitor, and engage with their fitness and health. A decade ago, we introduced activity rings — and since then, Apple Watch has grown to offer an extensive set of features designed to empower every user,” said Jeff Williams, Apple’s chief operating officer.

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