The first thing Yang Weina, a white-collar worker in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, does after waking up is check the sleep score on her smartwatch.

"Probably because I've been working late-night shifts in recent weeks, I've consistently been getting low scores of around 75 to 85 out of 100," said the 32-year-old. "The score matches what I feel during the day — my heart races at times, and I feel a bit woozy, especially in the afternoon. So I'm considering taking melatonin or visiting a sleep clinic."

Yang also finds the smartwatch's heart rate monitoring and menstrual cycle tracking especially useful. "When I'm facing a deadline, my heart sometimes races to more than 120 beats per minute. Seeing that number on the watch, I tell myself to calm down. I'll step away from my desk, take a few deep breaths and look out the window for a few minutes."

The rise of wearable technology and artificial intelligence has made it easier for increasingly health-conscious young people to gather information about their bodies and access health advice, fueling a new wellness trend that some netizens have dubbed "cyber wellness".

Lin Yiran, 28, told Beijing Daily that every morning she takes a photo of her tongue and sends it to an AI medical diagnosis platform to assess her physical condition. In traditional Chinese medicine, the color, shape and coating of the tongue can reveal information about a person's overall energy and well-being.

Lin said she brews a cup of barley water if the AI-generated report points to a thick, greasy tongue coating that suggests a weakened spleen and dampness. A pot of rose tea becomes her drink of the day if the diagnosis indicates liver qi stagnation — a concept in TCM referring to emotional or physical blockages that can cause melancholy.

Zhang Jin, director of the disease prevention center at Xiyuan Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, said using digital devices to monitor health can be helpful.

"Many people don't have time to see a doctor," she said. "Using apps and self-study to get an early, basic read on their condition can serve as a health alert and help catch problems early."

But she warned against relying on such tools for an actual medical diagnosis, which requires proper training. "You can't make a diagnosis based on a tongue image alone," she said.

Zhang said daily health checks can be simple, such as tracking weight and sleep and observing tongue coating, urine and bowel movements. "We often see young people whose tongues clearly reflect high stress. Catching those early signs can prevent symptoms from worsening into deep exhaustion and loss of energy," she said.

Jiang Quan, director of rheumatology at Guang'anmen Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, also welcomed the trend of using smart devices and data to stay healthy in a fast-paced society.

She called it a sign that younger people are paying more attention to their health. "It shows people are placing greater value on preventive care and daily maintenance," she said.

Jiang said quantified data allows people to clearly see how late nights, prolonged sitting and high stress affect their bodies. Instead of relying on vague feelings until they burn out, they can make smarter and more scientific adjustments to their daily lives.

But she also urged caution. "An occasional high heart rate or slight dip in blood oxygen is often linked to sitting too long, tension, a recent meal, anxiety or staying up late, and not necessarily a serious illness," she said.

"Repeatedly checking the same numbers can create a psychological habit, triggering anxiety and insomnia," Jiang added. "That can end up draining your vital energy and throwing off your physical and mental balance."

All data from smartwatches and health apps should be treated only as early warnings, not as diagnoses. "If you feel unwell or see numbers that remain abnormal, go to a hospital for a proper examination in time," she said.