Emotionally, Dr Elsa Tan noted that there may be a disproportionate amount of guilt and anxiety from missing a workout or seeing a dip in a metric. 

For some, this guilt may turn into feelings of dread when preparing for or doing the activity.

Behaviourally, users may force themselves to engage in the activity despite not wanting to and skip social events and obligations to prioritise completing an activity. In extreme cases, this can lead to physical injuries and deterioration, often more apparent to family members before the individual recognises the problem themselves.

PRICE OF PERFECTION

“Tying self-worth to numbers can start to overshadow the meaning and intent of tracking,” said Ms Goh. Instead of being a helpful tool, tracking becomes an “internal critic”, reinforcing unhealthy mindsets of perfectionism or comparison.

The emotional toll can be exacerbated by social comparison. “It can create guilt around slowing down or taking a break because rest doesn’t always reflect in data,” she explained. 

This pressure for constant achievement can lead to feelings of inadequacy, especially in a modern society that glorifies relentless productivity.

This tendency to overanalyse and overcorrect shows up clearly in one of the most common areas people try to optimise via tracking: sleep. 

It’s common for people to have trouble with falling asleep, staying asleep or waking up too early, said Dr Geraldine Tan. But while trackers promise solutions, they can sometimes have the opposite effect.

Detailed insights into REM cycles, oxygen levels and sleep quality can lead to overanalysis, especially for those already anxious.

“Anything they think deviates from the normal, they perceive as something they need to fix or a problem they need to solve,” said Dr Tan. This heightened scrutiny often becomes counterproductive – turning bedtime into a stressful, tedious process instead of a restorative one.

Tracking can also foster secrecy and shame. Dr Geraldine Tan has observed patients curating what they share about their eating habits, hiding or modifying their tracking to avoid judgment. 

In some cases, obsessive tracking can spiral into compulsive behaviour, particularly around exercise or diet. 

“Rigid, inflexible adherence to general app-based formulas can lead to significant negative consequences,” Dr Elsa Tan warned. “Users may push themselves beyond safe limits, increasing the risk of injury or burnout.”