When Your Watch Makes You Worry
Why body monitoring devices feed health anxiety or panic instead of easing it.
Posted May 25, 2025 | Reviewed by Kaja Perina
If you have health anxiety and/or recurring panic attacks, it might be time to ditch your body monitoring devices.
A recent article in the New York Times focused on the Oura Ring and other devices and highlighted that for some individuals, body monitoring can make you more anxious, even if you think it is helping you.
People with health anxiety, as well as those with recurring panic attacks, tend to be hyper-focused on body sensations. You feel like you are at risk for some health issue and that to be a responsible person, you need to monitor body symptoms.
Before the advent of smart rings and watches, before so many of us had pulse oximeters in our homes, people could still take their pulse on their own or mentally pay attention to symptoms. However, these devices have taken everything to the next level. We can now get so much more data about our body's functioning. While many people think this is the responsible thing to do, it can often worsen anxiety in those who are susceptible to it.
The Problem with Body Monitoring
Here are some of the main issues with body monitoring:
How to Stop Monitoring
Admittedly, these are all easier said than done, and it takes practice. If you find that you are very anxious about your health or are having recurring panic attacks, a therapist who specializes in anxiety could be helpful.
Rosman, L., Lampert, R., Zhuo, S., Li, Q., Varma, N., Burg, M., Gaffey, A. E., Armbruster, T., & Gehi, A. (2024). Wearable Devices, Health Care Use, and Psychological Well-Being in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation. Journal of the American Heart Association , 13 (15), e033750. https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.123.033750C
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Bonnie Zucker, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles with an expertise in treating anxiety.
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This article is part of the Bringwise Psychology Journal — daily insights on human behavior, mental health, and personal growth.