Can AI Make Us Unwell?
Rethinking Human Wellness in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
In a world where artificial intelligence is reshaping nearly every industry, there’s one area we often overlook: human wellness.
We talk about AI in terms of productivity, disruption, and efficiency but what about our inner worlds? What happens to our sense of purpose, presence, and peace when algorithms begin shaping our schedules, our diets, and even our emotional support systems?
As a wellness advocate, social psychologist, and coach, I believe we are at a pivotal moment:
AI is not just a technological shift – it’s a psychological one.
And the bigger question isn’t how AI will change our work, but how it will change our sense of self.
The Science of Attention and the AI Tug-of-War
Research in cognitive neuroscience shows that our brains are wired for focus in short bursts, but modern life and especially AI-fueled platforms stretch that wiring to the brink.
A study from Microsoft found that the average human attention span dropped from 12 seconds in 2000 to 8 seconds by 2015 largely due to screen time and digital overload.
A more recent study conducted by Francesco Chiossi and colleagues at LMU Munich in 2023 experimental study showed that users who scrolled TikTok were 40% more likely to forget tasks they intended to complete, compared to those who used YouTube, Twitter, or took no break.
Psychologists have learned that taking breaks is key. Dr. Evita Singh (Ohio State) suggests taking 5–10 minute tech breaks every hour can help rebuild focus. The strategy reduces mental fatigue by breaking the cycle of multitasking and continuous digital engagement.
Perhaps the most eye-opening study hails from MIT. In this recent (pending peer review) study, participants had their brains scanned while using ChatGPT. 83.3% of users couldn’t recall a single sentence they’d written just minutes earlier. In contrast, participants writing without AI had no trouble remembering. The study also found a steep drop in brain connectivity from 79 to 42 points, a 47% drop in neural engagement – a phenomenon called “cognitive off-loading.”
Generative AI tools, endless notifications, and “smart” assistants can streamline tasks, but they can also train us to offload critical thinking, creativity, and even emotional regulation.
AI doesn’t just automate tasks, it can automate our choices, creating a feedback loop where we begin to trust the algorithm more than our own intuition.
This has profound implications for mental wellness.
Tech as a Wellness Tool – Or a Wellness Trap?
There’s no doubt AI can be useful in supporting wellbeing.
Apps that track mood, heart rate variability, or sleep cycles have the potential to empower healthier decisions. Mental health chatbots are becoming more sophisticated and accessible. Personalized fitness and nutrition algorithms are already transforming how people manage chronic conditions.
But here’s the caveat:
Wellness is not just optimization. It’s awareness.
AI can tell you what to do.
But only you can feel whether that choice is aligned, fulfilling, or truly nourishing.
The more we rely on tech to dictate wellbeing, the more we risk losing embodied intelligence, our natural ability to sense what we need in the moment.
The Future of Human Flourishing
So how do we stay grounded in a world designed to distract and optimize us?
Here are three key principles we use in Lifestyle Beautiful to help clients stay well in the age of AI:
- Build Tech-Awareness, Not Just Tech-Savviness
Learn to notice how you feel after using different types of AI tools. Which apps energize you? Which drain you? Self-monitoring is the foundation of psychological wellness. - Create Rituals of Reconnection
Practice regular tech sabbaths, presence-based rituals (like Tai Chi, nature walks, or journaling), and embodied wellness activities that re-anchor you in the here and now. - Use AI to Amplify, Not Replace
Leverage AI to extend your human strengths, not bypass them. Use it to clarify, not control, your goals. In coaching, we often pair AI tools with values-based reflection to ensure clients stay in charge of their own journey.
Final Thoughts
Wellbeing is a continuous conversation between mind, body, and spirit.
If we aren’t careful, AI may automate our lives faster than we can process them. But if we approach this moment with intention, AI can become a powerful mirror reflecting back the areas where we’re most ready to grow, heal, and evolve.
Want to reclaim your wellbeing in a tech-driven world? Our Health and Life Coaches help people manage digital stress. Contact us today!
