I've been wearing the Apple for a decade - the 7 reasons why I won't take it off

Time really does fly. The officially went on sale 10 years ago today, and I was one of the very first to try it back in 2015. The first-generation model was by no means perfect, but even though that device had its faults, I was addicted to this wearable tech from the off. Getting messages sent straight to my wrist, seeing daily fitness levels and making calls like a scene from Dick Tracy was enough to get me totally hooked.

Since the original launch, the Apple Watch has got better and better with the latest models now able to monitor my heart, track nightly sleep, tell me if my environment is too loud and even show me my blood oxygen levels.

Having worn numerous iterations of this device over the past decade, it remains strapped to my wrist (my model of choice is the rugged Watch Ultra 2), and here are the seven reasons why I never take it off.

• The Apple Watch keeps me moving

Apple's clever three-ring system continues to keep me fit and healthy. Every day I attempt to close these simple coloured circles by standing up each hour (harder than you think when you work at a desk all day), exercising for 30 minutes and burning through at least 650 calories.

Getting a streak of closures becomes highly addictive, and I'm not sure I'd be as fit as I currently am without it.

My Watch also links up with Apple Fitness+ workouts, tracks my 5K runs with accurate GPS and even shows trends such as Pace, Cardio Fitness and Distance. I even get alerts when the Watch notices changes in these trends.

• The Apple Watch reveals insights about my sleep

Thanks to improved battery life and faster charging on more recent models, it's now possible to wear the device all day and still have enough power to go through the night. That means I now get sleep tracking, which gives a detailed insight into how much shut-eye I've had.

Alerts show when I should be heading to bed, and the latest devices can even tell if I might have sleep apnoea.

Each day I can get an elevated or not elevated assessment of my breathing disturbances for the night before. If over a 30-day period I receive more frequent elevated breathing disturbances, I'll receive a notification of possible sleep apnoea.

• I'm less reliant on my iPhone

Thanks to the Apple Watch, I feel much less reliant on my iPhone. With full mobile connectivity included on some models, I can head out and still take calls and send messages without needing a smartphone shoved in my pocket.

It can also store a wide range of playlists, has super accurate GPS, and has plenty of apps, such as Maps and smart home controls. It can even be used to unlock the car door.

• The Apple Watch watches my heart

Packed inside the Apple Watch are a bunch of sensors that offer full heart tracking. Not only can I see my current and average pulse but I can also take an instant ECG right from my wrist.

This heart chart can then be saved in the Health App and shown to my GP should I feel something is wrong.

Although I'm currently fit and healthy, it's nice to know that the Apple Watch will also alert me if I suddenly show signs of Atrial Fibrillation. AFib can cause numerous side effects and many people never know they have it until medical professionals pick it up.

With a family history of AFib, it's pretty reassuring to know what's happening with my heart.

• My wallet stays at home

There was a time when I'd never leave the house without a wallet packed full of credit, debt and store cards. Now I rarely pull my wallet from my pocket with everything stored on my Watch.

Apple Pay then takes care of the rest, which means I can simply tap my wearable at the checkout and head out of the shop. I even store my flight boarding cards, gym membership and other loyalty cards on the device.

• I never lose my iPhone

We've all misplaced our phones at home-I do it far too often. Luckily, a few taps on the Apple Watch triggers an alarm on my iPhone, so I can track it down.

All I have to do is tap the side button and then press the phone buzzing icon on the screen. This not only starts the iPhone blaring but - on the latest Apple Watch models - it will show directions and how close you are to it.

• I feel less worried working at home alone

Since the pandemic, I now have a hybrid work pattern, which means spending some days at home. I'm usually alone during the day so it's nice to know that my Apple Watch adds a layer of protection should the worst happen,

Thanks to Apple's clever Fall Detection, the device instantly knows if I've tripped or taken a heavy tumble.

A countdown then takes place, and if I don't stop it - via a quick tap on the display - a call and text are sent to the emergency services and your loved ones.

What's next for the Apple Watch?

I remain a big fan of this device, but there are some things Apple should address. Despite getting a bigger screen and updates to the case, the standard model feels in need of a complete design refresh. We'd also love to see Apple adding even more health features, such as blood sugar monitoring and blood pressure detection.

Updates usually arrive in September, and with the Watch now turning 10, maybe this will be a big year for this popular device.