<b>A Suffolk woman who forgot to put on her FitBit bracelet suffered a day of distress and separation trauma normally associated with the death of a close family member, psychologists have confirmed.</b>

Sophie Richards took her bracelet off for an early-morning shower, and while traveling to work later she realised she had not put it on again.

She broke out into a sweat and had terrible pangs of grief and remorse, knowing her calories burned, steps taken, and heart rate would not be recorded for a whole day.

Dr Anne Ringrose, a psychologist working at the University of Suffolk, said: "Fitness fanatics have become so attached to these bracelets that they suffer terribly when separated from them.

"The loss they feel is akin to the death of a loved one or a pet, or going through a painful relationship split."

Miss Richards, 24, of Lowestoft, said: "It was the worst feeling of my life. I spent the whole day staring at my naked wrist, worried about my calories and whether I should go for a five-minute walk.

"I couldn't wait to get home to put the FitBit on again."

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