Recent research conducted by Bastion Latitude - involving more than 1000 Australians, nationally representative on age, gender and location - revealed 46 per cent were using some form of technology to support their well-being needs by wearing devices or using apps to track fitness, diet, sleep and mindfulness patterns.

The study also highlighted what many of us know: more 18 to 34 year olds are embracing the use of technology to monitor their health (73 per cent) compared to people aged between 35 and 64 (43 per cent), with a sharp decline for people aged more than 65 years (18 per cent).

As we look at ways to reduce obesity, technology can play a role in that process as the research also indicated 80 per cent of those people who used wearable devices noticed that their health and well-being improved.

This supports ongoing research that tells us if we maintain a healthy lifestyle, our mental health will also improve. In fact, 75 per cent who use technology believe they are more accountable to their health needs as they are reinforcing the positives of physical activity.

Dr Peter Baldwin, from the Black Dog Institute, says technology is transforming mental health faster than anyone expected, with evidence-based cognitive and behavioural therapies being delivered online safely and effectively. In fact, if a person is becoming increasingly anxious, as a result of stressful life situations, they can now easily take charge of their own mental health at any time, on almost any device using online programs like Black Dog's myCompass, which has 30,000 active users.

Following are some studies that took place trying to discover the effects of technology on mental health.

Duke University found that, on days they use technology more, at-risk adolescents experienced more conduct problems and higher ADHD symptoms compared to days they used technology less.

A University of Michigan study found that Facebook use led to a decrease in happiness and overall life satisfaction. Research at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden found a link between heavy mobile phone use in young adults and depressive symptoms.

A team of Australian researchers conducted two studies and found that compulsive internet use by adolescents leads to poorer mental health. A Swansea University study found that heavy internet users experience psychological symptoms of withdrawal when they stop using.

Then there are devices out there that are designed to give you immediate feedback about your stress levels, mindfulness or relaxation. They include the PIP device, which when coupled with a smartphone app is designed to give immediate feedback about stress levels. Then there is the MUSE headband that helps you get the most out of your meditation practice by giving you real-time biofeedback about what is going on in your mind. The 2017 app of the year was the Calm app, which allows you to learn how to meditate, have breathing sessions to relax your mind and body or listen to calming bedtime stories before you go to sleep.

Actress Emma Watson's favourite app is the Headspace app, which is for anyone who wants to learn how to meditate and release stress even during a busy day.

The Anxiety and Depression Association of America rated the Breath2Relax app, which was developed by a branch of the US military, the Defense Health Agency, as very good. There's also the Focus@Will music service. A survey of 22,000 active users showed that focus time increased by 200-400 per cent.

The Deep Virtual Reality app offers a person with the help of virtual reality, while the Zen Zone app is a relaxation game by Unello Design specifically for VR. Finally, there is the Fitbit, which provides a host of applications.

Now that you are loaded with technology information, it all comes down to personal preference and needs.

Choose wisely, as your well-being depends on it.

Dr Anthony Perrone is college counsellor at Trinity Anglican College. The views expressed in this column are Dr Perrone's and not necessarily those of Trinity Anglican College.