With the extra busy schedules people have these days, fitness tracking apps have helped many people time and track their exercise time, calories burnt and the time taken to do so. These apps also remind us to drink water, not exceed our calorie limits for the day, as well as keep exercising. However, sometimes these devices can have an adverse impact on our health. Instead of making us feel better, they can make us feel anxious or stressed. This generally happens when we become too focused on the numbers and start to worry if they aren't perfect. It's important to understand that while these trackers can be helpful, they shouldn't control our mood or make us feel bad about ourselves.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association also found that people with heart problems who used trackers were more worried about their symptoms. With so many people using these devices, it's becoming a common problem. 20% of wearable users felt anxious and always contacted their doctors when they received an irregular rhythm notification. They also found that these devices meant increased monitoring and worrying, higher usage of AFib (atrial fibrillation) specific health care etc. These findings suggest that while wearables can help patients monitor their AFib, they may also lead to increased anxiety and health care use. More research is needed to fully understand the effects of these devices on patients, doctors, and the health care system.

Signs These Apps May Be Getting Too Much For You

We can become too focused on achieving certain goals, like a certain number of steps or a perfect sleep score. This can lead to stress and anxiety when we don't meet those goals, instead of simply using the information to support a healthy lifestyle.

Your Metrics Influence Your Mood

If your happiness or sadness depends on the numbers your fitness tracker shows, it's a sign you might need a break. Getting a low score can make you feel like you've failed, even if you've been making healthy choices. It's normal to feel a little disappointed when you don't reach a goal, but your overall mood shouldn't be affected. If you notice that your mood changes a lot based on your tracker's data, it might be time to step away from it for a while.

You Constantly Try To Interpret Your Numbers

If you find yourself constantly searching online to understand what your tracker's data means, it's a warning sign. Trying to interpret every number can lead to more worry and confusion. You might start to believe you have health problems that don't exist. It's important to remember that these trackers are tools, not medical professionals. Spending too much time trying to decode the data can increase your anxiety instead of helping you.

You Feel Anxious When You Can’t See Your Data

If you feel nervous or anxious when you forget your tracker or it's not working, you might be too dependent on it. You should be able to feel comfortable and relaxed without constant data. If you feel panicky when you can't see your numbers, it's a sign you need to learn to be okay without them. You should be able to trust your body's signals instead of relying only on the tracker.

You’re Ignoring How Your Body Feels

If you rely only on your tracker and ignore what your body is telling you, it's a problem. Your body's signals are important. For example, you might feel well-rested, but if your tracker says your sleep quality is low, you might start to doubt yourself. It's important to listen to your body and not just the numbers. Your body knows when it's tired, hungry, or needs rest. The tracker is a tool to support your health, not replace your body’s signals.

A neurologist has spoken about a simple daily practice that may help guard against cognitive decline, and it requires just six minutes. Dr Clint Steele, a specialist in the brain and nervous system, works with patients to improve quality of life by strengthening brain function and preventing, and in some cases reversing, conditions such as dementia.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a significant decline in mental function that is serious enough to affect everyday life. It commonly impacts memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. Dementia itself is not a single disease but a collection of symptoms caused by underlying conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia. Common signs include memory problems, confusion, difficulty finding words, changes in mood or behaviour, and trouble completing familiar tasks.

These symptoms usually worsen over time and are not considered a normal part of ageing. Although there is no cure, treatment options can help manage symptoms, and early diagnosis plays an important role in care planning.

Dementia: Signs And Symptoms

The signs of dementia can differ from person to person. Some common examples include difficulty with short-term memory, misplacing personal belongings like a purse or wallet, trouble managing finances or paying bills, challenges with planning or cooking meals, forgetting appointments, and becoming disoriented when travelling outside familiar areas.

Dementia symptoms tend to be progressive, meaning they often begin subtly and gradually become more severe over time, eventually interfering with daily functioning. If you or someone close to you notices ongoing memory issues or changes in thinking or behaviour, it is important not to dismiss them.

Six-Minute Daily Routine That May Help Slow Dementia Risk

The 56-year-old expert says that reading for six minutes a day could meaningfully lower the risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurological conditions. In a TikTok video that has since been viewed thousands of times, Dr Steele points to long-term research showing that strengthening what is known as “cognitive reserve” may help prevent or reduce the likelihood of dementia and similar disorders, as per Mirror.

Why Cognitive Reserve Matters

According to Dr Steele, one way to support cognitive function is by learning new skills, such as picking up a foreign language, learning to dance, or simply reading a book for at least six minutes each day. “Reading six minutes a day actually lowers your risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and more,” he told What’s The Jam.

He explained that reading helps build cognitive reserve, which refers to the brain’s ability to adapt. “Adaptability is so important because when you encounter stress, you want your brain to be able to adjust to that stress, respond in the right way, and then, once the stress has passed, adapt again and settle down,” he said.

A Small Daily Commitment

“One of the most important things you can do is read six minutes a day, according to the research, and that will help,” Dr Steele added. Based in Maine and Florida in the US, he has spent 34 years focused on brain health and dementia prevention.

Public Response To The Advice

His TikTok video has also drawn hundreds of likes and comments. One viewer wrote: “Normally read at least 100 books a year, plus the Bible, dance classes, acrobatics, clogging for at least six years, at 84 still moving, just slower, my mom had Alzheimer’s, so I do know!”

Another commented: “I still enjoy reading news every day.” A third added: “Another really good one is fine art, probably why so many older people take up painting.”

Students gaming more than 10 hours a week can have long-lasting negative effects on their physical and mental health, a new Australian study suggests.

Researchers from Curtin University, Perth have found that playing online games for over 10 hours can worsen diets, increase body weight and led to poorer sleep than lighter gamers.

Professor Mario Siervo, Curtin School of Population Health said of the results: "What stood out was students gaming up to 10 hours a week all looked very similar in terms of diet, sleep and body weight. The real differences emerged in those gaming more than 10 hours a week, who showed clear divergence from the rest of the sample."

What Did The Study Find?

Researchers surveyed 317 students across five Australian universities, with a median age of 20, to understand how time spent gaming each week might affect their diet, sleep, and body composition.

Students were categorized as low gamers (zero to five hours a week), moderate gamers (five to 10 hours) or high gamers, who played video games for more than 10 hours each week.

They found that low and moderate gamers showed largely comparable health outcomes but health indicators deteriorated sharply among students whose gaming time exceeded 10 hours a week.

The study found diet quality declined and obesity was more common once gaming exceeded 10 hours a week, with each extra hour linked to poorer diets even after accounting for other lifestyle factors. While high gamers recorded a body mass index (BMI) of 26.3kg/m2, low and moderate gamers fell within a healthier range, with median BMIs of 22.2kg/m2 and 22.8kg/m2 respectively.

Professor Siervo said: "Each additional hour of gaming per week was linked to a decline in diet quality, even after accounting for stress, physical activity and other lifestyle factors."

Additionally, sleep quality was generally poor across all groups but students who played video games for moderate or high amounts of time reported worse sleep than low gamers.

Despite clear results, the expert added that the study does not prove cause and effect but shows excessive gaming is linked to higher health risks, while low to moderate play appears largely fine.

Why Is Playing Video Games Bad For You?

"Our data suggests low and moderate gaming is generally fine, but excessive gaming may crowd out healthy habits such as eating a balanced diet, sleeping properly and staying active.

"Because university habits often follow people into adulthood, healthier routines such as taking breaks from gaming, avoiding playing games late at night and choosing healthier snacks may help improve their overall well-being," Professor Siervo said.

Playing video games for excessive amount of time has also been linked to paving the way for mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, aggression and poor emotional control as well as social/life problems including neglecting responsibilities, isolation, poor relationships, academic/career impact.

Moreover, previous research has also found that playing games for over three hours straight significantly raises the risk of physical issues. Sessions exceeding this time frame can lead to eye fatigue, headaches, neck pain and wrist pain, regardless of the player's age or gender.

This study was published in Nutrition on January 16.

Days after eagle-eyed fans spotted Nick Jonas stepping out of the Golden Globes during the Nikki Glaser-hosted show in Los Angeles, the popstar has now revealed what led to him there.

In an X video from January 11, Jonas was seen standing alone outside of a tent at the Beverly Hilton hotel surrounded by palm trees and green foliage, looking like he was taking a breather while sipping from a glass bottle of water and rubbing his chin.

As the clip began to go viral online, users shared their guess on why he had to exit the ceremony, commenting, "Social anxiety got the best of him." Soon after, he did reveal that he anxiety had "hit him like a gut punch" on X.

Living with Type 1 diabetes, Jonas has previously spoken about the emotional challenges of managing a chronic condition and how it has affected his life.

What Is Social Anxiety?

As explained by Dr Sanil Sinhasan, Consultant Psychiatrist at Mind Care Clinic and SRV Hospital, Mumbai, to Health Shots: "Social anxiety disorder is an intense fear of being judged, rejected, or embarrassed in social or performance situations.

"People with social anxiety often worry excessively about how they look, speak or are perceived by others."

This kind of anxiety is typically triggered by meeting new people, public speaking or even everyday interactions like eating in public, stemming from fears of negative evaluation by others.

Symptoms include blushing, sweating, trembling, rapid heartbeat, nausea, dizziness, trouble speaking, stomach issues. If left untreated, social anxiety can become debilitating as it can also cause fast, shallow breathing, muscle tension, suffocation, symptoms that can intensify anxiety further and lead to serious medical events.

How To Overcome Social Anxiety?

Professional therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and medication such as antidepressants (SSRIs/SNRIs) can offer deeper solutions for managing fear and building skills.

Regular physical activity can also help release endorphins and reduce tension as well avoiding excess caffeine can support mental health.

Mental health experts also recommend opening up to loved ones and avoiding isolation. Speaking to loved ones and sharing how you’re feeling can help ensure your current state doesn’t aggravate.

Doctors also advise speaking therapist if social anxiety significantly impacts your life as professional help is crucial for lasting change.