experts — 02 January 2026

Dr. Anna Persaud’s guide to nervous system care with wearable tech

Move from self-care to neurocare and discover the best wearable devices to help better understand your nervous system, chosen by our CEO, Dr Anna Persaud.

written by Dr Anna Persaud

CEO of This Works

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Dr. Anna Persaud’s guide to nervous system care with wearable tech

Wellness is a word that has penetrated our vocabularies and routines more and more over recent years. From applying active-ingredient skincare and drinking electrolytes to popping pure collagen and lying under red light, the wellness industry is full of solutions that tackle symptoms but rarely consider the root cause of so many of our skin, stress, digestive system and sleep concerns. People want to feel calmer, sleep better, and find ways to unwind, yet most routines stop at skincare or supplements. Wellness is a daily aspiration, but what is missing is a better understanding of our nervous system and the key role neuroscience plays in real wellness. When given the education and knowledge of how we can care for our nervous system with products that help us move out of fight-or-flight and into rest-and-digest, we can work to regulate the mind, skin, and body around the 24-hour clock. Wearable tech like Neurosym, Oura Ring or Muse Headband is extremely useful in giving us a window into our nervous system. They can share comprehensive health data, including detailed sleep stages, brain activity, heart health, body temperature, respiratory rate, breath rhythm and body movement (steps, calories, workouts). Tech can provide valuable insights into readiness, stress, and resilience. Once we have this information, we can start forming new, tailored habits and introducing products proven to care for our nervous system. Whether you want to buy someone special a gift they will not only use, but could change their habits and their lives, or treat yourself to a gadget that will provide invaluable knowledge, wearable technology is the perfect luxury choice.

my own experience

Learning to support my nervous system in response to my own dysregulation has shaped how I think about wellbeing and the support we all need at points during the day. Our first fine fragrance, Own Time, is really the result of this realisation: a science-backed tool that's proven to shift us from survival mode into calm, connection, and rest. When it comes to This Works, I have largely allowed the science to speak to itself; every formula, every communication, and every piece of advice is born of credible science and validated by the strictest of tests. One area I have been less forthcoming with is my motivation for creating a brand that serves us all in this way. Like many people, possibly even you, I have spent much of my life in a state of nervous dysregulation, and that's something I have had to learn to navigate over the years.
My nervous system was injured in childhood. I grew up in a constant state of high alert. I looked calm and high-functioning, but my body never switched off. When I learned the neuroscience, everything made sense, and it's this experience that drives me now to direct This Works into a new phase. Now, we're taking sleep a step further into nervous system regulation and care, creating a portfolio of tangible solutions for more supported, well-rested and regulated lives.

my top wearable technology picks

neurosym

We know just how stressful daily life can be, and when living in a constant state of dysregulation, this can have direct physical and mental impact. Neurosym is a neuromodulating device designed to help manage stress, energy and sleep by rewiring your nervous system to restore its natural balance. Designed to be worn for 15-60 minutes per day, it rewires your brain with scientifically validated, targeted electrical impulses via the Vagus Nerve. It can collect data from your body, target neural circuits to enhance function and performance, and activate the parasympathetic nervous system to bring your mind and body back to a calm state. It's an extraordinary way to begin to understand your own body and a quick ritual that could have a profound impact on your daily life.

oura ring

The obvious choice for fitness lovers, this smart ring has gained huge traction over the past few years for its sleek design and impressive capabilities. Oura is rooted in Nordic wellness principles and is targeted at those who want to prioritise a healthier lifestyle. Designed to be worn day and night, it collects personal health metrics and insights, including sleep quality, heart health, fitness levels, metabolic health, temperature, menstrual cycle and heart rate variability. It provides holistic, digestible insights, advice and gentle nudges based on your personal data, so you can make better choices to live a healthier, better-regulated life.

muse S athena headband

If you're looking to maximise your sleep, energy and focus, Muse is a great tool to help you get there. I use the Muse S Athena, a revolutionary cognitive tracker that combines EEG and fNIRS technologies to deliver real-time feedback on focus and endurance. It does this through brainwave and blood flow tracking, giving me insight into my nervous system and allowing me to focus on areas that need improvement. Overnight, it tracks light, REM and deep sleep stages, and uses responsive bedtime stories that gently cue the brain for deeper, restorative sleep. It's comfortable to wear and part of my wellness toolkit I couldn't live without.

garmin

As someone who’s constantly looking to optimise both performance and recovery, Garmin is my go-to. Devices like the Venu 3 and Forerunner 965 give me the most meaningful insights into how my body and nervous system are coping - tracking sleep, heart rate variability, stress and recovery around the clock. The long battery life means I don’t have to worry about charging constantly, so I get a continuous picture of my body’s rhythms and patterns.
What I love most is Garmin’s focus on data that actually matters. It’s not about notifications or gimmicks - it’s about understanding your body, knowing when to push, and recognising when to rest. For me, it’s an indispensable tool for maintaining balance, supporting resilience, and making informed choices every day.

own time

Our first neuromodulating Eau De Parfum, Own Time, revolutionises how you use fragrance. It's the first luxury neuroscent specifically designed to engage the parasympathetic nervous system, helping you regulate, reconnect, and reclaim your evening hours. The neuroscience-backed formula uses a combination of three neuromodulating molecules of terpenes, sesquiterpenes and an odourless UV-activated molecule to help transition the nervous system from fight-or-flight to rest-and-digest. Own Time is validated through user studies and a clinical pilot measuring heart-rate variability and sleep quality. It draws on techniques like fMRI and EEG to support deeper, better sleep. It's designed to be dual-action, working to physically downregulate as the olfactory system inhales the scent, but also as a behavioural cue that lets your brain know it's safe to switch off, disconnect from stressors and unwind. I have added this into my routine by spritzing at 6 pm when I arrive home from work, and intentionally deep-breathing the scent in for two, and out for six seconds, as a ritual that signals to my brain that it’s time to clock off from the day and let go. This mindful routine helps my body shift into its natural evening rhythm, so I can feel calmer, connect more, and sleep better.

making mindful behavioural changes

Between 6 pm and 12 am, our bodies produce more melatonin and less cortisol, helping us move from stress into rest. While our hormones are shifting and we're naturally gearing up to switch off, our modern lifestyles mean we're working against this instinct, not with it. External factors like artificial light, device use, late-night work, and caring for children can throw off the production of these essential hormones, making it extremely difficult to take the valuable time we so desperately need. Making mindful behavioural changes that support mental calm and physical relaxation will, over time, help the brain create new neural pathways and support the balance of the nervous system. Inhaling Own Time for two seconds, exhaling for six, dropping your shoulders and looking out into the distance is a short but clear ritual that merges neuroscience with achievable behavioural change.

the story behind it all

This Works has been at the forefront of neuroscience since our inception, and now we're doubling down on this unique expertise with the This Works Neuro Platform, our science-led framework to help guide the body from stress into regulation. Discover the inspiration and innovation behind our new fragrance, Own Time, in this exclusive interview with our CEO, Dr Anna Persaud. From the secrets behind the blend, where creativity meets neuroscience, and the precise terpene structure, hear the full story.