I’ve been asked many times in my life whether I have noticed a shift in people’s wellbeing as technology and social media have become part of everyday life. The answer is yes, very clearly.
On the one hand, we know far more about health today than we ever did before. We have access to research, education and tools that allow us to understand the body in much greater detail. Technology allows us to monitor aspects of our health such as sleep, heart rate, movement and even stress levels with smartphones and smartwatches. In many ways, this is incredibly valuable. It gives people awareness and, in some cases, a sense of control over their wellbeing.
But on the other hand, while we are more informed, we’re not necessarily more connected. I see this very often in my work. People arrive with a lot of knowledge about their bodies, but very little connection to how they actually feel. They can tell you their sleep score or their step count, but they struggle to recognise tension in their shoulders or emotional stress held in their body.
This is where the imbalance begins. Technology encourages us to look outside of ourselves for answers. It gives us data, numbers and feedback, but it can slowly take us away from our natural ability to understand our own body.
Social media adds another layer to this. It exposes us constantly to comparison, information overload and unrealistic expectations. Over time, this can create pressure, anxiety and a subtle sense of disconnection from who we are.
As therapists, we are in a unique position to witness this shift. We’re not only working with the musculoskeletal system and physical tension, we’re working with people who are often overwhelmed, overstimulated and often disconnected from themselves. This is why our role has become even more important. Touch brings people back, bringing them out of the noise and into their body. It creates a moment where they can feel again and reconnect with themselves.
This is something I place great importance on in my work and in the way I teach therapists. It is not enough to rely only on external tools and information. We need to help our clients return to their own internal awareness.
This is also where I see technology used in a way that truly supports our work. When it is approached with intention, it can help us deepen our understanding rather than replace it. This is why I created the Beata Digital Academy app. It gives therapists access to knowledge, guidance and accredited courses in a way that fits into everyday life, while still encouraging them to stay connected to their body, their awareness and their practice. Technology, when used in this way, becomes a support rather than a distraction.
Because true wellbeing does not come only from what we measure. It comes from what we feel, how we respond and how connected we are to ourselves. And perhaps now more than ever, this is what people need the most.