Few terms have skyrocketed more in Internet searches this year than “wellness.” The buzzy catchall has been adopted to describe far-reaching ends of the health spectrum, from pricey detox retreats in the Alps to the treads of small farm animals across your back while you attempt a half-hearted downward dog.
But let’s be real: wellness is personal, just like the preferred color of your Oura Ring. In a generation that’s obsessed with mouthtaping, biohacking, and documenting 20-step morning routines, everyone’s a self-proclaimed guru online. Across the World Wide Web, seemingly everyone’s documenting their journey to #auramaxx (that is, a glow up for your vibe). Couple it with a trendy ring’s biometric data and call that an Oura Maxx. With a little help from fashion’s favorite smart ring, we’re catching up with quirky content creator, former D1 athlete, and full-time Oura Ring enthusiast, Kitty Lever, as she ups the ante on wellness with niche New York recs from collective, DAMES New York. Just like her glossy grid, she’s curating her routine down to the last aesthetic detail.
Forget cold brew—a cold plunge is the most effective way to supercharge your morning. With the morning sun barely peeking over Metropolitan Avenue, Lever rocks up fresh-faced to Akari, Greenpoint’s trendiest and possibly zen-est membership sauna, to take the plunge in chilly waters sporting the Oura Ring 4 Ceramic in Tide (fitting name, isn’t it?). The aroma of eucalyptus lingers, and tranquil tones of wind chimes hush through the spa’s serene halls. At the center, an icy blue pool beckons, reflecting Lever’s eccentric inflatable blue dress as she timidly approaches. “Scary,” Lever admits as she lowers herself in. A nearby sign prohibits breath-holding contests, but she isn’t holding her breath on purpose. Her resting heart rate spikes, then settles, as her Oura tracks calm recovery.
Think of it as the anti-mood ring: instead of guessing if you’re “calm” or “anxious,” it gives you receipts. We're talking sleep quality down to the nitty-gritty of your heart rate variability, Readiness Score based on your activity, and recovery metrics designed for when your self-care gets a little…extra. As the latest gen of the über trendy health tracking accessory, Oura Ring 4 Ceramic expands into next-level personalization, available in four colorways with a new Charging Case for on-the-go. From sleek navy Midnight to blush pink Petal, the bands are crafted with ceramic zirconia for everyday durability, whether you’re hitting up your gym or sweating it out in a post-rave sauna session. It’s not clunky, it’s not one-size-fits-all, and most importantly, not one-color-fits-all. Some outfits just don’t work with mixed metals!
Next stop: a guided sauna session at Williamsburg’s newest thermal sanctuary, Othership. Slipping into an archival Herve Leger bodysuit, Theophilio graffiti boots and the delicate Petal colorway to match, Lever cycles between 200-degree heat and yet another dip into freezing pools, much to her stats’ delight: pulse climbs, recovery blips. Is this the right time to ask how many Oura points she gained from that effortless plunge?
After pushing the limits (temperature and tolerance speaking), Lever winds down her day of wellness at SAA Brooklyn, Bushwick’s IYKYK members-only club. Draped in a white kaftan and flowing linen pants, she’s perfectly on boho trend, accessorized with Oura Ring 4 Ceramic in Cloud. At the front of the sunlit room, the guru strikes the gong. In the back, a DJ bends frequencies to match. The room hums in layered vibrations and collective sighs. Is this meditation or a very chic group nap? Kitty inhales and exhales, her aura—er, Oura—perfectly in sync.
Just like personal style, your wellness routine doesn’t need to make sense, it just needs to sync. From ice baths to sound baths and whatever Brooklyn calls meditation these days, Lever’s discovered the way to Oura maxx her way through the practices, data in hand. Whichever rituals you choose to blur the line between enlightenment and exercise, track the stats and serve the results with a hue to fit every niche wellness obsession—yes, goat yoga included.
Now that Kitty has shown us the ropes, click here to start Oura Maxxing too.
