Health tracking apps can be useful for promoting healthy behaviours and managing fitness, but overreliance on them can take a toll on mental health. Here’s how…
They pile on the pressure
Most apps are designed to be motivational, but inciting you to fit in a run when you don’t feel like one can make you feel disappointed in yourself. What’s more, because some health-monitoring apps set out one-size-fits-all objectives, they don’t take into account whether you are physically able to carry out something or not. This can cause users to push themselves too far, which could, in turn, lead to injuries and put you off exercising altogether.
They make it harder to listen to your body
Let’s say that you have downloaded a calorie-monitoring app that tells you when and how much you should eat. In this scenario, you may find it difficult to listen to your internal needs, as you are too focused on hitting specific targets. You may end up ignoring symptoms of hunger or fullness. Experiencing prolonged feelings of hunger can make you feel tired and ill-tempered and have a negative influence on your mental wellbeing.
They can trigger anxiety
People use health-monitoring apps to improve their wellbeing and look after their health, but tools such as sleep-tracking devices can have the opposite effect and aggravate your situation. They can make people feel anxious about their sleep. The growing preoccupation with having a regular sleep pattern can escalate into insomnia because extensive worrying prevents you from dozing off. In turn, lack of sleep can have a serious impact on how you cope with daily life.
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