The Impact of Wearable Technology on Mental Health and Daily Life
Prevalence and Demographics of Wearable Tech Users
• 32% of people in the US are currently using wearable devices, such as smartwatches, smart rings, or fitness trackers. • The demographics most likely to use wearable technology identify as female and/or are Gen-Z. • Among certain age groups, nearly 69% of those aged 25-34 use wearable devices.
Common Uses of Wearable Tech
• Users typically use wearable devices to track daily steps, fitness data, and health-monitoring features such as heart rate, blood pressure, body composition, and sleep quality.
The Trickiness of Wearable Tech
• Wearable devices are not always accurate, leading to potential anxiety or misinterpretation of data. • Many wearables are not official medical devices, and users may rely too heavily on them.
| Study | Findings |
|---|---|
| JAMA (2024) | Patients who wore health trackers experienced anxiety and contacted their doctors in response to irregular rhythm notifications, which may not always be necessary. |
| JAMA (2024) | Patients with cardiovascular disease or at risk for the condition were significantly less likely to use wearable devices than other demographic groups. |
| 2024 study | Users experienced anxiety when their physiological data were abnormal and dependence when tracking sleep status, heart rate, and exercise. |
Mental Health Concerns and the Impact of Smartphone Addiction
• More research is needed on the mental health impact of wearable tech devices. • There is growing evidence connecting smartphone addiction with higher neuroticism. • Parallels can be drawn between smartphone addiction and the effects of wearable tech.
Personal Experiences with Wearable Tech
• Some users find that wearables provide a sense of motivation and accomplishment. • Others may experience anxiety or distraction from notifications. • It’s essential to remember that we’re in control of how our devices feed us information.
“I don’t really like texting—does anyone anymore?—but I do find it a necessary tool, socially and logistically. Minimizing my daily texting minutes (by time-blocking responses to the group chats and muting alerts from everyone except my husband and our children’s schools during work hours) makes me feel more focused, less uneasy, and more accomplished at the end of the day.”
— Author’s personal anecdote
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Sleep Trackers
• Some people find benefits in sleep trackers, such as improved sleep quality or increased motivation to exercise. • Others may obsessively track their sleep, fixating on metrics rather than tuning into how they’re actually feeling. • This phenomenon is known as orthosomnia. Ed O’Malley, integrative sleep medicine practitioner and dynamical neurofeedback specialist, notes:
“There are a significant number of people who think they are sleeping ‘better’ or at least fine who then find ways to improve quantity or quality after tracking. But many others obsessively track their sleep, fixating on every metric rather than tuning into how they’re actually feeling. This is an excessive concern with trying to improve their sleep data, despite having no observable daytime consequence of their current sleep regimen.”
The Bottom Line on Wearable Tech
• The impact of wearable technology on mental health and daily life is highly personal. • It’s essential to remember that we’re in control of how our devices feed us information. • If wearables provide benefits and are used responsibly, they can be a valuable tool. However, if they create anxiety or distractions, it’s best to reassess our relationship with the technology. • We can adjust settings, mute alerts, and forgo distracting features to make the most of wearable tech. • Ultimately, it’s crucial to figure out what works for us and make the best of it.