Wellness curious
Remind yourself to chill out with these gadgets
There’s no button you can press to banish stress (if we find one, we’ll let you know). But a host of new wearables promise to offer the next best thing. These devices come in many forms – headsets, wristbands, speakers – but share a common goal: strap one on and you’ll (allegedly) feel your anxiety melt away while enjoying a bump in mental performance. They mostly claim to slow your nervous system response to induce a feeling of calm. Find out if the claims stack up with our breakdown.
They help you zen out
PROBABLY A STRETCH
In short, the tools release vibrations that mimic affective touch. Think of a hug or a pat on the back from a loved one. This contact communicates safety and trust, which helps you bond with others and dials back your fightor-flight response. It also releases oxytocin, which lowers levels of the stress hormone cortisol. The idea is that by providing an experience similar to that of a soothing caress, these devices offer the same kind of relaxation you might get from a friend comforting you. The thing is, it’s hard to replicate physical interaction with a device. If the wearable is not at body temperature, it’s not going to trigger this specific type of touch, says neuroscientist Claudia Aguirre. That said, a vibration could act as a little nudge to check in with yourself, adds psychologist Chloe Carmichael.
They sharpen focus
TRUE, FOR CERTAIN PEOPLE
