People could soon use brain-scanning headbands to track their “mental workload” each day in the same way they use fitness watches to track their daily step count, scientists have said.

The devices, which can read activity and blood-flow in the brain, could help people to monitor how much time they spend under a “high” or “low” mental workload to ensure they are getting enough stimulation and also enough time to switch off and relax, researchers have suggested.

Fitness trackers and smart watches made by firms including FitBit and Apple have become ubiquitous for tracking physical health, measuring everything from heart-rate to stepcounts.

A new generation of healthrelated devices is now starting to emerge offering to monitor mental health. A range of brain-scanning headbands has come on to the market promising to monitor mood, track levels of concentration and help with meditation and relaxation.

“Personal brain scanners are already on the market and whilst they are still in their infancy compared to smartwatches, early adopters are already starting to use them,” said Max Wilson, a professor of human-computer interaction at the University of Nottingham.

Wilson, who is exhibiting research at the Royal Society’s Summer Science Exhibition in London, added: “Our research studies how people will use these devices to improve their lives, as well as exploring the emerging ethical concerns, data privacy and social implications of the imminent future of living with these personal brain scanners.”