Are We Too Dependent on Wearable Tech? Why Listening to Your Body Matters More Than Your Data

You track your steps, sleep, stress - even your readiness to live another day. But when did wellbeing become something we need to quantify to believe in?

Nearly half of wearable users say their health data causes stress.That's not a throwaway stat, it's a reality check.

Let's be clear: wearables aren't the enemy. At CHILL, we're big fans of any tool that helps people take care of themselves. Like any tool, its value depends on how - and why - you use it.

According to an article by RunLovers, in a world where wellness is increasingly measured by scores, graphs, and green rings, it's worth asking: Are we actually feeling better, or just chasing better numbers? Let’s not ignore the quiet pressure to perform - not just for your own data, but compared to everyone else’s perfectly optimised routines.

Here’s a deeper look at why this trend exploded, how it might be shaping our wellbeing, for better or worse, and where real balance might live.

1. The Rise of Health as a Scoreboard

From inbox zero to step counts, we've been conditioned to optimise.

Self-tracking isn't new, but wearables made it effortless. No more notebooks. No more guesswork. Just passive data collection and sleek feedback loops.

And it stuck.

As reported by Pangarkar, over 40% of users call their device indispensable. Around 25% wear them while sleeping. Convenience is part of it, but so is the feeling of control.

These devices offer a sense of comfort when your body feels like a mystery. And, let's not ignore the quiet pressure to perform - not just for your own data, but compared to everyone else’s perfectly optimised routines.

That tap on the wrist? It's not just a heart rate reading, it's reassurance.

2. Where This Could Go

Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson tracks everything. Literally.

Heart rate. Skin temperature. Calorie intake. He's chasing extreme longevity with the help of more than 100 daily biomarkers.

This can be fascinating, and for some, inspiring. But it also raises a bigger question: When does curiosity turn into control? Has wellness become another area of performance?

We're not here to say yes or no. It's not about being for or against the tech; it's about understanding its impact and choosing what works best for you.

Because whether you wear a tracker or not, you're still in charge.

3. When the Numbers Take the Wheel

But here's where it gets complicated: more insight doesn't always mean more clarity.

A ScienceDaily report showed that 1 in 5 atrial fibrillation patients (people with an irregular and often rapid heart rhythm that can lead to blood clots, stroke, and other heart-related complications) contacted a doctor the same day their wearable flagged an irregular rhythm. Helpful? Sometimes. But it also leads to unnecessary appointments, costs, and heightened concern.

Meanwhile, the pursuit of "perfect sleep" has a name now: orthosomnia.

As noted by the National Library of Medicine, it's when the goal becomes the score, not the rest. People stay in bed longer not because they feel tired, but because their device says they should.

Research indicates that former tracker users report “constant pressure to perform” as a reason they stopped wearing them. 

The takeaway? Data is powerful. But it doesn't always bring peace.

4. Your Body Knows First

There's a difference between knowing and noticing.

Your body often sends signals before any sensor picks them up. Muscle tightness, shallow breath, a buzzing mind, all signs of stress that might not show on your dashboard until later.

This isn't fluff. It's called interoception, your ability to sense what's happening inside you.

The National Institutes of Health states that studies link strong interoception to better emotional regulation, pain management, and even decision-making. Building this connection helps you move through the day with more awareness, and fewer alarms.

You don't have to choose between tech and intuition. But it's worth asking: Are you checking in with yourself before you check the app?

5. Helpful Tool, Not Health Dictator

CHILL is all about options, not instructions. So if you're navigating wearables, here are a few gentle prompts to help you stay in the driver's seat:

• Try a tracker-off day. Just one. See how it feels to wake up, move, and wind down without a score.
• Ask yourself first. "How am I actually feeling?" - before checking what the device says.
• Watch the trend, not the blip. A single bad night doesn't define your sleep health. Look for patterns over time.
• Know it's okay to pause. Devices can take breaks. You don't lose your health if you lose a few data points.

You're not behind. You're allowed to just be. Here's the CHILL Take:

• Wearables can be helpful, but they're not the full picture.
• Real well-being doesn't always show up in the data.
• Your body already has a feedback system. Tuning in matters.
• There's no "right way" to be well. Just the way that works for you.

You don't have to ditch the tech. You don't have to go analog.

You just get to choose, on your terms. And that's the kind of wellness that sticks.