Your health tracker knows you didn't sleep well — does that help or hurt?

Wearable devices now track sleep and many other health metrics for millions of people, and experts say the same data that can detect serious issues can also increase stress or anxiety for some users.

Health-tracking wearables report sleep and other physiological metrics to users on a daily basis. These devices are widely adopted and have become a prominent part of consumer health technology. Clinicians and researchers note that the data can reveal important signals, such as irregular heart rhythms, while also prompting worry or extra testing for some people. User experiences vary: some find the devices motivating, others find them stressful. Key points: - Wearables are widely used: a 2024 Parks Associates survey found nearly half of U.S. households owned a device, and Oura has sold more than 5.5 million rings while approaching an $11 billion valuation. - Research showed smartwatches can detect irregular heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation, but doctors warn of false positives and the anxiety and testing they can trigger. - Individual responses differ: some users report increased activity and better habits, while others describe heightened anxiety; device makers say the products are designed to be quiet and allow users to step back from the data. Summary: Wearable trackers can provide useful health information for some people and can also contribute to stress or obsessive monitoring for others. Undetermined at this time.