Wearable Fitness Trackers Are Making Us Anxious—here's How To Stop It

From heart rate monitoring to sleep data, wearable devices are revolutionizing health. But at what cost?

Wearable technology is more popular than ever. From smartwatches to health-tracking rings, we can constantly monitor our sleep patterns, heart rates, and even blood oxygen levels. While research indicates that these devices often promote increased physical activity and healthier lifestyles , there can be a downside when the constant stream of data becomes overwhelming.

A recent study published in the   Journal of the American Heart Association found that wearing fitness trackers to monitor heart conditions like atrial fibrillation—an irregular heartbeat—can make people more anxious about their health.

"While the nature of being able to track specific data can be motivating to reach goals, it can also cause an unhealthy fixation or obsession," says Kate Miskevics , a licensed therapist specializing in anxiety, OCD, and eating disorders.

So, how do we strike a balance in a world obsessed with numbers? Experts share how wearable technology can shape our minds—and offer tips for managing the stress it can bring.

"The more we attend to something, the more we're training the brain to worry about it," says Joanna Hardis , an Ohio-based anxiety specialist. This can make it difficult to break the negative cycle of compulsive checking your fitness tracker and worrying, says Hardis.

Robert Goldel, a neuroscientist and former White House presidential innovation fellow studying wearable technology, says fitness trackers can lead to "data overload," especially when users struggle to interpret or manage the information. In fact, a 2019 study from the University of Copenhagen revealed that many people rely on fitness tracker data as if it were medical advice, often sparking unnecessary fear and anxiety.

"Having this kind of data so readily available can be hard to ignore when we are literally wearing devices that notify us and serve as visual reminders throughout the day," says Miskevics.

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