Are Health Tracking Apps Helping—or Hurting—Your Wellness Goals?

In today’s world, it’s virtually impossible to scroll social media without coming across an advertisement promoting a new health tracking app. Whether it’s to count your steps, monitor your sleep, or start a new physical activity, there’s an app for almost any health goal you might have. “Health tracking apps have gained popularity due, in no small part, to their ability to empower users with convenient tools for self-monitoring, goal setting, monitoring metrics, and personalized tracking of progress towards a user’s improved health and mental well-being,” says media psychologist Dr. Dan Grant, PhD. “They offer a convenient way to track a user’s various aspects of health, including physical activity, diet, mental well-being, and even medication adherence.”

As the wellness movement continues to grow, you might be wondering whether your health tracking apps are actually benefitting you—or if they’re doing more harm than good. If you’re curious, consider these benefits and drawbacks, along with our expert’s conclusion on whether or not health tracking apps are actually good for you.

The Benefits of Using Health Tracking Apps

“Health tracking apps can offer increased self-awareness by helping their users notice patterns in sleep, mood, activity, or diet because by consistently tracking these health-impacting variables, they can identify what may be positively or negatively impacting their overall well-being,” Dr. Grant says. “These types of apps can also support goal setting and motivation through their ability to allow users to track measurable progress like number of steps walked or water consumed. They can also boost accountability and encourage consistency.” If you’re passionate about preventative healthcare, then health tracking apps might be a great choice for you and your wellness plan.

“Health trackers can also support early intervention and improved health habit building by indicating any unfavorable changes before they become serious,” Dr. Grant adds. “Finally, they can assist their users in developing healthy routines, whether targeted towards specific goals or promoting a gradual, safe, and healthier overall improvement.” Wellness experts and enthusiasts might use health trackers to monitor positive progress and use specific features they can’t find elsewhere. When used to achieve perfection, however, health tracking apps can become a toxic force.

The Drawbacks of Using Health Tracking Apps

Despite the multiple benefits health tracking apps can offer, there are also multiple drawbacks to be weary of—especially if you’re prone to perfectionism or have an unhealthy relationship with monitoring physical activity. “Health tracking apps can lead to obsessive behaviors where users can become overly focused on the data and numbers and start to feel anxious if they don’t meet daily or desired goals ‘quickly’ enough,” Dr. Grant says. “They can also encourage unrealistic comparisons (especially when users share progress and challenges publicly), which can lead to decreased self-esteem and negative self-worth.” 

This starts to make wellness feel like a chore more than an exciting hobby, and you may begin to feel that all-or-nothing mindset, Dr. Grant adds. “Missing one workout or sleep goal can trigger guilt or a sense of failure, leading their users to ‘give up.'”

Should or Shouldn’t You Use a Health Tracking App?

To put it simply, health tracking apps can be beneficial if used mindfully. “These apps can motivate users to adopt healthier habits and offer their personal providers and practitioners access to the activities, progress, and app-stored health information of their patients and clients,” Dr. Grant says. But this data should be used as a guide, not a judgment.

This doesn’t mean you can’t use health tracking apps if you’re a perfectionist—it’s just something to be aware of. If you find yourself leaning into these tendencies, delete the app from your phone and consider taking a break from these types of platforms. What matters most is how your mind and body react to keeping a digital track record of your health.