Wearable fitness trackers are making us anxious—here’s how to stop it

When your attention is hijacked by the urge to check data or worry about a potential health issue, Hardis recommends stopping and “notice what you see, hear, smell, and feel under your feet.” This practice can help train the brain to stay grounded in the present rather than spiraling into anxiety-oriented worries.

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Another effective strategy? Prioritize rest. “Power up your brain with good sleep,” says Goldel. Instead of relying on your wearable to track your rest, he suggests a simple rule: “If you need an alarm clock, you’re likely not getting enough sleep.”

Goldel adds, “Pay attention to your daily schedule and plan breaks to literally and figuratively catch your breath.” Take five tech-free minutes to close your eyes and breathe. “Rest and recuperation are active processes” that are essential parts of life, he says.

While wearable technology offers numerous benefits, finding a balance between technology and mindfulness can help us harness the power of wearables without sacrificing our mental health, says Miskevics. “Data is great, necessary, and helpful,” she says. “But we also don’t want to be so data-driven that we forget to be human.”