Fitness trackers and smartwatches have become a 24/7 accessory for many people.
Garmin watches are some of the most popular for their advanced tracking features and stylish designs.
Most people (including myself) wear our smartwatches from morning to night for the convenience of constant access to notifications, stats, and more.
But is it safe to wear Garmin watch all the time?
It is generally safe to wear Garmin watch all the time. Most smartwatches, including Garmin watches, are designed to be worn 24/7 if you’d like. However, taking the watch off periodically is recommended to let your skin breathe, especially if you’ve sensitive skin.
Overall, wearing a Garmin watch all the time is not harmful, just remember to give your wrist a break every now and then. Otherwise, it may lead to some potential health-related concerns.
In this post, I have explained these concerns in detail along with some tips to wear your Garmin watch safely all the time.
Potential Risks of Wearing Your Garmin Watch All The Time
Wearing your watch all day and every night does come with some potential points of caution.
Here are the 5 potential health concerns you need to be aware of if you’re planning to wear your Garmin watch all the time.
1 — Skin Irritation
Having a watch band pressed against your skin for days can sometimes lead to skin irritation issues.
The tight rubbing of the band against your wrist can cause general skin irritation, rashes, blisters, and other problems.
Furthermore, sweat and moisture trapped under your Garmin watch can also create damp conditions that breed skin irritation and infections.
While people with sensitive skin are most susceptible to these types of reactions, anyone can experience skin issues from continual contact with their Garmin watch.
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2 — Infection
Speaking of infections, the warm, dark space under your watch band provides the perfect home for bacteria, viruses, and other germs to grow.
If you’ve open wounds or even normal scratches under the watch, you’re at a greater risk of becoming infected.
This is not to say that people with intact skin shouldn’t be concerned. Even without open wounds, bacteria, and viruses can find their way under your watch band and onto your skin.
Over time, these germs can build up to unhealthy levels and potentially lead to skin irritation or infection.
The best way to prevent this is to regularly clean your watch band. Use mild soap and water to wipe away dirt, sweat, and germs that accumulate.
3 — Sleep Disturbances
Wearing a watch to bed can also disrupt your sleep patterns and quality.
The light from smartwatch screens, the pressure on your wrist, and even simple distractions from notifications can make it harder to fall and stay asleep.
To avoid sleep issues from your watch, take it off before bedtime.
Let your wrist relax and allow your body to follow its natural circadian rhythms without disruption from your device. You’ll wake feeling more refreshed and energized.
4 — Interference with Medical Devices
If you use internal medical devices like pacemakers and defibrillators, wearing a Garmin watch could potentially cause some interference issues.
The electromagnetic signals emitted from Garmin devices can, in some cases, disrupt the proper function of implanted medical gadgets.
While the risks are small, it’s wise to consult your doctor before strapping on your fitness tracker if you have a pacemaker or related device.
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5 — Other Injuries
Last but not least, if you wear your Garmin watch too tightly on your wrist for an extended period of time, it can lead to restricted circulation and nerve compression issues.
This loss of blood flow and fluid buildup, as a result, can cause symptoms like numbness, tingling, or nerve pain.
Plus, constantly having your wrist flexed in one position under a tight watch band can also contribute to overuse injuries like tendinitis or carpal tunnel syndrome over time.
So, it’s best to not wear your Garmin watch too tightly and take it off periodically to avoid these risks.
Tips to Wear Your Garmin Watch Safely for Extended Time
Now that you know the main risks, here are some great tips for mitigating issues and wearing your Garmin as safely as possible 24/7:
- Clean Your Watch Frequently — Cleaning your watch frequently is super important. Take the band off and wash the whole thing with soap and water every day. This gets rid of dirt, sweat, and oils that can irritation your skin. Make sure to dry it well before putting it back on.
- Wear Loosely, Especially at Night — If you’re planning to wear your Garmin watch all the time, you should wear the watch loosely, articularly when sleeping. Having it too tight can cause skin issues. But you still want it snug enough that it doesn’t slide around. Try a soft, loose band for sleeping.
- Take Off if Skin Becomes Irritated — If you notice any redness, rash, or irritation on your wrist under the band, take the watch off right away. Give your skin some time to heal before wearing it again. Alternatively, you can consider switching wrists too.
- Give Your Skin a Break — Even if you don’t notice any irritation, it’s still a good idea to give your wrist a little break from your watch now and then. Take it off for a few hours when you’re at home relaxing or lounging on the weekends.
- Limit Watch’s Notifications — Finally, use your companion app on your smartphone to limit notifications and enable sleep tracking at night. Also, consider turning on airplane mode or do not disturb when you don’t want to be bothered.
Key Takeaway
To wrap it up, wearing your Garmin watch all the time comes with its set of pros and cons.
While there are some concerns to keep in mind, they’re generally not deal-breakers. It’s all about listening to your body and using your Garmin watch in a way that benefits you.
That said, if you have specific health concerns, chatting with a healthcare professional is a good idea. At the end of the day, your Garmin is a tool meant to enhance your life, not complicate it.
So, go ahead, keep on tracking your steps, monitoring your heart rate, and chasing those fitness goals.
Just remember to take care of your wrist—and yourself—in the process.