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Is gamification in wellness just a gimmick? In our digital age, earning rewards through wellness apps has become commonplace. From morning meditation streaks to afternoon workout badges, gamified apps offer incentives to encourage healthier behaviors. However, the question arises whether these apps truly contribute to our long-term well-being or if they’re just another clever tactic by tech companies to keep us glued to our screens.
Gamification of Wellness
The gamification of wellness is everywhere in our tech-obsessed world. A systemic review and meta-analysis published in eClinicalMedicine in 2024 found that using gamified apps resulted in a “trivial” increase in steps and small but significant reductions in body mass index and weight. Yet, it’s unclear if these apps lead to sustainable, long-term behavior change as research in this emerging field is still in its early stages.
The Role of Reward Systems
“Gamification is ultimately a reward system for behavior,” says Catherine Sabiston, director of the Mental Health and Physical Activity Research Centre at the University of Toronto. According to Sabiston, this extrinsic motivation can help people get started on their wellness journeys. However, it doesn’t build the type of motivation needed for long-term engagement in these behaviors. In other words, gamified apps can motivate people to start a wellness activity but may not be effective in sustaining these behaviors long-term.
The Downsides of Gamification
One of the primary criticisms of gamification is that it often does not involve users setting their own goals or metrics. Without this personal investment, it’s harder to create sustainable, long-term behavior change. Furthermore, the pressure to continuously perform can be discouraging and counterproductive, turning wellness practices into chores rather than enjoyable activities.
The Dark Side of Gamified Wellness Apps
For some individuals, these apps can trigger harmful behavior. Dr. Lindsay Duncan, co-director of the McGill Theories and Interventions in Exercise and Health Psychology Lab (TIE), found that gamified wellness apps could lead to obsessive data tracking, potentially resulting in disordered behaviors such as over-exercising or calorie restriction.
The Potential Benefits of Gamified Apps
Despite the criticisms, gamified wellness apps can have benefits. They can reinforce healthy habits, provide structure, and even foster social connections through competitions or leaderboards. For example, meditation apps can make it easier to build the habit by offering accessible, guided sessions.
A Mixed Bag
Cassey Natura, a content creator and founder of SimplyHerWellness, notes that while gamified apps can encourage consistency and can be particularly helpful for individuals with ADHD, they can also turn wellness into another digital task. Natura points out the importance of off-screen wellness practices such as journaling and yoga classes in grounding and centering oneself. The key, it seems, is finding a balanced approach to wellness that includes both digital and non-digital practices.
