Since its launch, the Apple Watch has been more than just a simple watch: it has become our companion and guide to a more active and healthier lifestyle. Among its most recognizable features are the activity rings, which encourage us to keep moving. Up to now, this constant focus on activity had a small downside, as the daily demands could be hard to meet when, for example, we were sick, traveling, or just faced with unexpected life events. With the introduction of watchOS 11, this changes.
Why do we need to pause the rings?
Maintaining a streak of closed rings is a big motivator for many of us, but what happens when we simply can't meet those goals one day? Until now, the system was unforgiving: missing a day meant the end of a streak that might have lasted for months or even years.
Rest days come as a response to our demand for more flexibility. Real life doesn't always follow a schedule, and sometimes, we need to prioritize rest, whether because we need to recover, take a break, or want to unwind during a vacation. watchOS 11 offers a solution: the ability to pause the rings and resume our streak when we're ready to get moving again.
How to activate rest days?
Activating a rest day on the Apple Watch is very simple. Just follow these steps:
- Open the Activity app on your Apple Watch.
- Tap the stats bar icon at the top left corner.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and select Pause Rings.
- Choose the duration of the break, with options like Today Only, Rest of the Week, Rest of the Month, or a custom period that can extend up to 90 days.
This allows us to adjust the break according to our needs, whether for just one day or for a longer rest if the situation requires it. Thus, we can continue our streak without feeling overwhelmed by the obligation to meet the goals every day.
Long-term wellbeing or a way to cheat?
This change in activity management responds to a practical need while offering a more balanced approach to our health. Maintaining an active lifestyle shouldn't become a chore, but something we can enjoy and sustain over the long term.
Rest is as important as exercise, and now, we can incorporate these rest days without penalties.
It’s easy to think that the option to pause the rings might be used as an excuse to be less active. Can’t close the rings or don't want to go to the gym today? I can pause the rings. Yes, that's one way to look at it, but by removing the pressure to meet goals every day, we are allowed to build a more positive relationship with physical activity. It's no longer about an unbreakable obligation, but a choice that can adapt to our circumstances and that we should want—not must—meet.
With rest days in watchOS 11, Apple takes an important step towards a more balanced approach to wellbeing. Staying active remains crucial, but now it’s recognized that rest is just as important.
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