Millions of people use a wearable health and fitness tracker. These devices can be useful for monitoring activity levels, sleep quality and heart rate. But for some, wearables can have unintended consequences on wellbeing.

This is something I encountered recently. At a public talk, I got to chatting with a man who told me a story that stayed with me.

He’d just finished a long hike and felt great. Then he glanced at his smartwatch. Heart rate: 130 bpm. Instant panic.

About 30 minutes later he realised the cause: the altitude. Yet in that moment, he’d gone from feeling perfectly fine to feeling awful – all because of the smartwatch’s reading.

This man isn’t alone. Some users have found their wearable increased anxiety so much they needed to stop wearing it.

A key reason wearable health devices may increase anxiety for some people comes down to a mismatch in expectation and what the device says.

Our brain is a prediction machine. It continuously, automatically generates and updates a mental model of our environment by comparing its predictions to the sensory information it receives.

Processing every sensory input from scratch would be slow and inefficient. By predicting what it expects to encounter, the brain can interpret noisy sensory information quickly and usually accurately.

Some examples of this happening include feeling your phone vibrate when you’re expecting an important message – only to discover it never rang at all. Or being abel ot raed tihs snetnece despite the typos, because your brain predicts what should be there.

The same principle applies to our bodily states. Our brains don’t simply read bodily states, they predict them.

We move through the day with an internal model of what our body “should” be doing: roughly what our pulse, temperature and breathing typically feels like when we’re calm, active or nervous.

When sensory information arrives that doesn’t match those expectations – such as having a higher heart rate – the brain generates a “prediction error”. This alerts us that the sensory information does not meet our expectations.

Most prediction errors are trivial and simply a mismatch between expectation and incoming information. The brain often resolves these errors automatically by updating its model and adjusting its predictions.

Since this process usually happens automatically, we typically don’t notice it. But if it does reach the level of our conscious awareness, we may search for an explanation for why our expectations and experience differ.

So if your heart rate feels faster than expected, you may link this to the fact that you drank too much coffee. Because we expect our bodily sensations to vary throughout the day, such explanations may be enough to prevent us becoming concerned by the prediction error.

The same thing can happen when we get a wearable reading that goes against expectation. However, because smartwatch readings appear clear and objective, we may place greater weight on them and may not dismiss an unexpected reading as readily. Even if you feel perfectly fine, seeing an elevated heart rate on your smartwatch may make you think something is wrong and kick off a cycle of worry.

My research suggests this may particularly be a concern in people prone to anxiety, who already tend to pay close attention to their internal bodily signals.

Research my colleagues and I conducted during COVID also found the more anxious a person was generally, the more likely they were to monitor their bodily states through objective measures (such as taking their temperature).

This behaviour in people with anxiety is unsurprising. Hypervigilance towards the body can feel protective, a way to spot problems early and reduce uncertainty. But it can quickly lead to a cycle of worry and seeking reassurance.

When such safety-seeking behaviour is reduced through therapy, anxiety symptoms tend to ease – at least partly because people are less hyper-focused on their bodies.

Yet the relationship can go both ways. In that same COVID study, we found a bi-directional link between anxiety and attention to bodily signals. Paying more attention to bodily states increased anxiety, and anxiety increased attention to bodily states – a negative loop.

Emerging research hints that wearable devices might amplify that loop. In a study on people with atrial fibrillation, heart rate trackers were linked to more frequent symptom-checking and higher anxiety.

A larger study, involving a random sample of around 500 smartwatch users, found a similar pattern. People reported feeling anxious when their physiological data looked abnormal. Some participants even reported feeling dependent on their health tracker, and become frustrated when they couldn’t wear their device or forgot to. Some recognised the effect and considered giving the device up altogether.

However, wearables don’t appear to have the same effect on everyone. For some, this information can be reassuring and may even reduce anxiety.

Critically, we don’t know why for some wearables provide reassurance, and for others they increase anxiety.

Avoiding health anxiety

There are many reasons people may wish to use wearables. Often, it’s because this health information can be useful – such as alerting us to issues we may otherwise miss. But monitoring the body in this way can also sometimes make us feel worse.

Taken together, the current evidence suggests this effect may be especially pronounced in people prone to anxiety, as well as in conditions where hyper-monitoring the body or behaviour can be maladaptive – such as eating disorders.

As with many things in life, it’s all about moderation. If you find yourself worrying about your data more than your wellbeing, try an experiment: leave the watch off for a day or hide the data so you’re not receiving constant feedback about your body.

Notice how your body feels without the tracking. You might discover what that hiker did: that sometimes trusting what you feel is better.

Head coach Luis Enrique follows in the footsteps of Bob Paisley, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane in becoming just the fifth manager to win three Champions League/European Cup titles.

The Spaniard, who was unveiled as PSG boss in July 2023, also won the Champions League as a player with Barcelona in 2014-15.

Remarkably, “he didn’t want to take the job when he was first asked”, journalist Guillem Balague told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“[He said] ‘you are full of stars – I’m not interested’. He was promised [he could] change the culture and the question was different. It wasn’t how can we win the Champions League, it was what kind of football do we want?

“The answer was offensive, attractive and Luis Enrique represented that and he was convinced he could do that.”

Under Luis Enrique, PSG lost their record goalscorer and five-time Ligue 1 player of the year Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid on a free transfer in 2024.

But, arguably, the France forward’s departure has helped balance the team.

PSG scored 44 more goals across all competitions in their first season without Mbappe (2024-25) compared with his final season at the club.

“Everyone plays like a team,” says Balague of the current squad.

“PSG is the team with the fewest yellow cards in Europe’s top leagues. That is a reflection of emotional control and everyone playing for everybody instead of being angry.

“He [Luis Enrique] said before when Mbappe left he prefers five players scoring 10 goals than one scoring 50. This season PSG have 20 different goalscorers. It is a collective approach.”

They also equalled the record for most goals scored in a single edition of the European Cup/Champions League, with their 45 drawing level with Barcelona’s total in 1999-2000.

Luis Enrique has also created a brilliant relationship with PSG’s fans.

After their Champions League win last year, they unveiled a flag in tribute to their coach and daughter Xana – who died aged nine in 2019 – showing the pair planting a Barcelona flag in the centre circle after the 2015 European triumph over Juventus in Berlin.

And in Budapest, before their win over Arsenal, a giant banner showing Luis Enrique lifting the famous trophy was displayed among the French faithful.

He was cheered on by the PSG fans passionately as he was lifted into the air by his players while hold the Champions League trophy.

After collecting his medal he danced in front of them with president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, celebrating the trophy that for so long had eluded the club. Not once, but twice.

The former quarry is now a site of idyllic beauty and wildlife

Cambridgeshire is home to some beautiful natural spots that are full of wildlife and greenery. These are the perfect places to explore and get closer to nature.

With so many gorgeous natural spots to visit across Cambridgeshire, it makes it hard to decide what one to explore. One place that is described as “stunning” and a haven for wildlife by people who have visited is Fen Drayton Lakes in Huntingdonshire.

Before it became a hotspot for nature, the area was a working quarry. It was originally a floodplain meadow until it was mined for construction aggregates from the 1940s and until 1992.

After that, the deep pits on site were flooded and it became a wetland sanctuary. Today, it’s managed by the RSPB.

There is a huge variety of wildlife drawn to the nature reserve, including otters, dragonflies, ducks, swans, and geese. The RSPB website says: “You’re never far from water and wildlife here; it surrounds you wherever you wander.

“Explore the woods and catch glimpses of secluded bays and pools. You won’t be able to miss majestic Mute Swans on the lakes, but you’ll need to look a little harder to see the many colourful insects. The riverside meadows are alive with nature – reeds rustling, birds warbling, grasshoppers chirping and bees buzzing.”

There are different trails people can either bike or walk around Fen Drayton Lakes. The land is predominantly flat, so it makes it easier to walk around. Parking is available at the nature reserve and is payable by a phone app.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

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It means one of Potapova, Kalinskaya, Parry or Poland’s Maja Chwalinska are guaranteed to reach the semi-finals at Roland Garros – with none of them ever having previously made the quarter-finals in Paris.

After losing her opening service game, Gauff saved two more break points at 4-2 down before fighting back to win the next four games to clinch the first set against Potapova.

The momentum swung at the start of the second set with Potapova’s deep groundstrokes causing problems for the defending champion as she opened up a double break.

At 5-2 down, Gauff saved two set points before clawing her way back to level at 5-5, but lost the tie-break as unforced errors and double faults punctuated her game.

As the third set wore on, Potapova’s superb defence forced Gauff into more mistakes as her deep looping forehand extended the points, and the Austrian’s persistence paid off as she secured the decisive break to win the match.

“I feel like I’m practicing well, and when the moments get there, I’m not quite translating that. I do it at times, and then I also don’t do it,” Gauff said.

“It’s one thing to lose, but I think today I didn’t – I mean, I competed, I fought my hardest, but I don’t think I played the way I wanted to in the crucial moments.

“I think that’s maybe the issue too that when I see the momentum is on my side, I should keep putting my foot on the gas instead of maybe letting up a little bit, and I think that’s what I did.”

IT was a time like no other, when York’s normally bustling streets were eerily quiet and we were told to ‘stay at home’.

But for one York photographer, the Covid pandemic lockdowns, inspired her in a new creative project,

York photographer Nikki Bowling has produced a new book that records the city in a unique collection of black and white images taken during the pandemic.

Simply titled York in Lockdown, the new publication includes stunning images of empty streets showing many of the iconic attractions and streetscapes in the city like never before.

Low Petergate during York’s lockdown period – photo by Nikki Bowling

Coffee table landscape in style, it is atmospheric, with many historical notes along with Nikki’s personal recollections of the period when everyone was told to stay at home.

Nikki said: “It started as something to do when nothing else was possible when I took my camera on my daily permitted exercise walks around the city.

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“I love York and love photography so decided to share the images with the world through this book as it shows, uniquely, the deserted city streets as the complete opposite of the usual hustle and bustle.”

The book will launch at Bedern Hall on Wednesday, June3, 2026.

Members of the public will be invited from 5pm when Nikki will be signing copies of the book and discussing what inspired her to create the images.

Nikki with her new book recording York in lockdown

Nikki said: “The book is dedicated to my late grandmother Marion Purdy who died age 102 in 2023, and who had a wicked sense of humour, positivity, kindness and a hopeful and philosophical outlook on life.

“I was lucky to be able to spend so much time with her during lockdown.” adds Nikki.

Copies of the book will be on sale at the launch and orders for individual images will also be available.

Newgate Market

Nikki began her photography career after studying photography and design at Harrogate College for four years.

She set up her business straight from college in 2001 and has, in the intervening 25 years, provided photographic services for weddings, social occasions, commercial photography for a variety of businesses and organisations including various press and magazine publications, local estate agents and holiday lets, capturing properties for sale or rent.

Nikki lives in York with her daughter Mia.

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Photo highlights as Paris Saint-Germain triumph over Arsenal in the Champions League soccer final in Budapest. This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.

The TV judge told the farmers choir they were in with a chance of winning the whole competition after their performance on Saturday night

Simon Cowell has tipped Jeremy Clarkson’s Hawkstone Farmers Choir to win the Britain’s Got Talent final tonight after another stunning performance. The judges gave the choir a standing ovation as they performed an original song in a bid to win the show.

The 34-strong choir, which includes 10 Welsh farmers, sang their own song for the first time on the show in a moment which the judges called a “huge risk” but which Cowell said fully paid off.

“That was absolutely on the money,” he told the farmers on stage, many of whom were in tears. “This is the best act we’ve seen so far tonight, and I think with that you’ve got a chance of winning the entire competition.”

Amanda Holden said the harmonising was incredible and she told the group she had been overcome by emotion during their performance in Saturday night’s final. “I’m enormously proud of all of you,” she added.

Alisha Dixon agreed with Cowell and said she felt they were “in with a real shot” of winning and getting the opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Show.

The farmers from Wales include pregnant Rosie Jones, a professional singer turned farmer’s wife living in Dolanog, Welshpool, and NFU Cymru group secretary Aled Owen Griffiths from Machynlleth, who was recently appointed chairman of the 2027 National Eisteddfod.

Also among the Welsh members of the choir are fourth-generation Llanelli farmer Eirion William Davies, Cambrian Mountains farmer Aled Wyn Davies, Meidrim farm manager Owain Fisher, Pendine farmer Joe Shewry, Hugh Thomas from Moylegrove, and Presteigne farmer Will Rogers.

The choir was put together by Clarkson who initially formed the group to help with an advertising campaign for his Cotswolds-based brewing firm.

The TV farmer has used his platform and Amazon Prime series Clarkson’s Farm to highlight mental health in farming and was on his feet applauding the choir from the audience.

Talking to Ant and Dec about the decision to sing an original song, one member of the group said: “When we first heard that song we were all in bits. I think the lyrics mean so much to the farmers, it is literally like coming home when we sing that song, it’s so precious to us.”

It was a gathering of support for what organisers said was North Yorkshire’s largest LGBT+ celebration involving up to 20,000 people against a backdrop of rainbows and colour that filled the historic streets.

The Pride parade set off from St Sampson’s Square at 12pm and followed a route through the city centre to Knavesmire where there is a festival taking place throughout the afternoon and into the early evening.

The parade route was met by waving crowds along Bishopthorpe Road as a festival got underway in Knavesmire (Image: Kevin Glenton)

The streets began to fill around 11am and the pavements were packed with bystanders cheering, taking photos and waving flags passed to them by those taking part.

A red sightseeing bus led the procession across Ouse Bridge, followed on foot by members of the community, and joined by the mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith.

Parliament Street was decked out in rainbows ahead of the start of York Pride 2026 (Image: Kevin Glenton)

Francesco and Sam – who have been married for seven years – made it over in time for the start from Gilberdyke in East Yorkshire.

Sam said: “We’re really looking forward to it, it’s our first time.

“We’d like to give a shout out to the organisers of York Pride and the committee and to say that the protest element is very important at the same time.

“We just want to live our lives – love is love”

“We’re going to follow the route all the way to Knavesmire, we’re looking forward to seeing the drag acts.

“York Pride is a great chance for people to come and shine their light, or step into the light.”

Francesco said: “It’s especially important to be involved, in this political climate.”

Francesco and Sam from Gilberdyke, were at their first York Pride (Image: Kevin Glenton)

York Pride chair and managing director Greg Stephenson was in Parliament Street ahead of the 12pm start and said: “I’ve just come from the festival site and seeing it all come together, that’s where the magic happens.

“York is generally a very accepting city but there isn’t a lot of LGBT+ spaces, so having Pride as a focal point every year is so important.

“It’s important we keep going and more importantly, we keep it a free event, something we really want to do for the city and for our community.

“The parade will be amazing and there’s a Jane McDonald tribute act that I cannot wait to see when I get to Knavesmire.”

York Pride chair and managing director Greg Stephenson with mum Mandy at the Parliament Street start (Image: Kevin Glenton)

Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith said: “York Pride is always a fantastic celebration of the city and the community.

“It is a very welcoming, inclusive place to showcase Pride like this and to show off the city in this light.

“Too often we’re taught to divide and hate one another but actually, this is a celebration of that inclusivity, bringing people and communities together.”