Connected jewelry and watches are becoming more and more popular. From smartwatches to connected rings, we can constantly monitor our sleep patterns, heart rate, and even blood oxygen levels. While research indicates that these devices often promote increased physical activity and healthier lifestyles, the constant flow of data can also become a source of stress.
A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that wearing fitness trackers to monitor heart problems such as atrial fibrillation – an irregular heartbeat – could make people more anxious about their health.
“While being able to track specific data can be motivating to achieve your goals, it can also lead to unhealthy fixation or obsession,” says Kate Miskevics, a licensed therapist specializing in anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and mental disorders. eating behavior.
So how do you find the right balance in a data-obsessed world?
“The more we pay attention to something, the more we train our brain to care about it,” notes Joanna Hardis, an anxiety specialist based in Ohio, United States. She says it can be difficult to break the vicious cycle of compulsively checking your fitness tracker.
“It can be hard to ignore this type of data that is so easily accessible when we literally wear devices that alert us and serve as visual reminders throughout the day,” says Kate Miskevics.
Despite the mental burden these technologies can cause, their popularity continues to grow. According to the Pew Research Center, nearly one in five American adults regularly uses a smartwatch or fitness tracker. In France, the figures are similar: in 2022, according to INSEE, 20% of people aged 15 or over living in France had already worn a connected watch, a fitness bracelet, glasses or a connected headset.
Fortunately, there are ways to manage the anxiety these devices can cause. Joanna Hardis recommends starting by rethinking how we use them. She explains that training for a race is one thing, but obsessively tracking every fluctuation in your heart rate is another. If your fitness tracker is fueling stress, it’s time to reevaluate how you wear it.
Kate Miskevics recommends adjusting notification settings to reduce distractions and take technology-free breaks. “We know that consciously choosing to spend time away from our phones and taking breaks from screens allows us to be more attentive and fulfilled,” says Kate Miskevics. Knowing this, “we need to think about how wearable technology can reduce these downtimes, since it gives us even easier access to our technological lives,” she adds.
If you find yourself compulsively checking your cell phone, Joanna Hardis says it’s essential that you work to break the habit. It won’t be comfortable, she says, but if you don’t retrain your brain to stop checking your data, the compulsion and anxiety will become stronger and more persistent.
When your attention is consumed by the urge to check your data or worry about a potential health problem, Joanna Hardis recommends stopping and “noticing what you see, hear, smell.” This practice can help train the brain to stay grounded in the present rather than falling into a spiral of worry.
Another effective strategy? Prioritize rest. “Energize your brain by getting a good night’s sleep,” advises Robert Goldel. Instead of relying on your cell phone to track your rest, he suggests a simple rule: “If you need an alarm clock, you’re probably not getting enough sleep.” »
Robert Goldel adds: “Be mindful of your daily schedule and schedule breaks to catch your breath, both literally and figuratively. » Take five minutes without technology to close your eyes and breathe. “Rest and recovery are active processes that are essential parts of life. »
While wearable technology offers many benefits, finding a balance between technology and mindfulness can help us harness the power of wearable technology without sacrificing our mental health, says Kate Miskevics. “Having access to this data is great, necessary and useful,” she says. “But we also don’t want to be so data-driven that we forget to be human. »
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