Smartwatch health trackers may trap users in self‑surveillance

Wearable devices such as Garmin smartwatches are marketed to help users monitor health metrics like sleep, heart rate and the “Body Battery” energy estimate. Katie Anne Hayes, who bought a Garmin after long‑COVID symptoms in 2023, initially found the energy readings useful for planning workouts and daily activities. Over time the constant feedback caused anxiety, leading her to fear low energy readings before meetings and to obsessively check sleep data, creating a negative feedback loop that she described as a “self‑imprisoning” effect.

The phenomenon reflects a broader surge in personal health data collection. Global sales of wearables are projected to reach nearly $100 billion in 2025 and $230 billion by 2033, with roughly one‑third of Americans using smartwatches, rings or fitness bands. Experts such as Dr. Sandeep Kishore of the University of California warn that growing reliance on algorithms may erode people’s ability to listen to their own bodies, raising questions about how much of the collected data is truly beneficial.