How does Garmin measure stress?

Garmin watches are a massive hit across the UK with running athletes and more casual fitness enthusiasts alike, due to offering some of the most advanced features of any fitness watch on the market today. One of those the most talked about and unique features is the ability to measure stress. But how exactly is a Garmin watch able to measure your stress levels via its stress tracking features? Well, at Fitstraps we are not only the most trusted supplier of fitness watch bands but also a family of fitness watch lovers, we kept hearing this question come up and were getting tired of not being able to provide the answers to our Fitstraps family. So we did a little digging and have done our very best to find you the answers on how Garmin Measures stress levels. 

A Garmin watch can be the perfect tool for tracking your fitness and health stats in the most detail possible. But one of the most heavily discussed features is their claim that they can also help measure stress levels and provide extremely accurate stress data. Garmin watches now offer their loyal users a way to track not only their physical health but their mental wellbeing too, but how does Garmin Measure stress? When it comes to measuring stress levels, Garmin watches use something called "heart rate variability," so what is this heart rate variability and how does it help us measure our stress levels? 

What Garmin devices call “heart rate variability (or HRV for short) technology.” HRV works by measuring small changes in your heart rate during periods of rest and also during activity. More specifically, it examines the differences between successive heartbeats, and uses the is work out how much stress it believes you are under. Garmin watches also use what they refer to as a “Stress Score” to measure stress levels directly from your wrist. They determine this by combining several different parameters from the HRV data that we have just mentioned and the other data fields collected from your watch such as sleep cycles, activity level, and your nutrition data that you input. Garmin watches are made with the capability of monitoring a variety of different biometrics which are all analyzed together to contribute to your overall stress levels.

For example, Garmin watches track calories burned, steps taken and distance traveled — all of these metrics can help give you a really good idea of how much physical activity you have done, and how this has then had an impact on your stress levels. A Garmin watch will then use something they call “Body Battery” technology to measure your energy reserves. Using this metric your watch will look at various data points such as activity levels, heart rate, stress data, and quality of sleep to provide a score of your energy reserves throughout your day. When you can track all of these metrics over time, you will be able to gain a wider understanding of how your overall stress levels fluctuate throughout your week. A Garmin watch can be a really useful tool for monitoring your activity levels, heart rate, and stress levels over time. When you can track all of these metrics together over time, it allows you to understand more thoroughly how much physical activity you have done and how it has impacted your stress levels. Armed with this powerful knowledge this can help you better manage your stress and lead a healthier lifestyle.

How are Garmin watches able to measure stress data? 

Garmin devices can measure stress levels through their proprietary technology, which they call the Garmin Stress Score. As above Garmin measures stress via a combination of heart rate variability and other biometric data from the watch itself to calculate an individual's level of stress. This will then get a read on the body's stress levels and give the user a score, the score ranges from 1 (a low stress level) up to 100 (extremely high stress levels). If the user’s score is higher than the normal range, it can be an indication for them to take steps to attempt to reduce their stress levels. For example, some deep breathing exercises or going for a walk outside, keep reading for more detailed tips at the bottom of this article. One amazing thing about Garmin’s Stress Level Score feature is, just like all the best features on any fitness watch, that it can be used to track your progress over time. By consistently measuring your score, you can learn which activities you partake in help reduce your stress and how long it takes for them to work.

This way, you can take some proactive steps to stop your stress levels going in the wrong direction. Some Garmin watches also come armed with Relax Reminders, another feature designed to encourage you into some relaxation during your day. Whenever your device detects that your levels have been elevated for an extended period, the Relax Reminder will let you know this so you can take action as best as you can. When it’s all said and done, Garmin watches are a fantastic tool for helping their users to manage their stress levels and make small lifestyle adjustments when required. 

Are Garmin Stress levels accurate? 

When it comes to Fitness watches in general, there has always been so much debate around the accuracy of various devices and functions over the years as the progress feature. Garmin’s Stress score Level monitoring feature is no different, and the big question as to whether they really can provide us with an accurate assessment of our stress levels has been up for debate. As we covered above the HRV is the variation in time between each heartbeat, which can be affected by many different factors such as physical activity, tiredness, emotions, and various other factors. Garmin says that by measuring HRV this can reveal a user’s level of stress and allow them to implement lifestyle changes towards improving their wellbeing. So, is the Garmin Stress Level feature accurate?

The answer depends on several different factors. Firstly, as we have covered when looking at the accuracy of other Fitness watch features in the past, how the device is worn will affect the accuracy of HRV readings that are taken by your device, your watch will need to be positioned in close contact to your skin to detect the heart rate properly, read more on the best way to wear your watch to gain the best data in this blog. Secondly, as HRV is affected by different many factors, it can be difficult to accurately measure stress levels via HRV alone. Finally, the accuracy of the feature also depends on what you do with the information. It’s important to remember that Garmin’s Stress Level feature does not provide medical advice and individuals should always consult with a medical professional before taking any steps to make lifestyle changes to improve their stress management. Garmin’s Stress Level is an interesting tool that may provide users with some insight into their stress levels via the Garmin Connect app. However, it can be affected by many factors and cannot be a substitute for medical advice, as its accuracy cannot be guaranteed.

What is a good average stress level on Garmin? 

Garmin's stress level is a measure of the physical and psychological demands placed on an individual, as we touched on above It ranges from 0 (low stress) to 100 (high stress). This metric can be used to help individuals better understand their overall health and wellness concerning their stress level, and how their body handles different life events, activities, and tasks. Your Stress level is measured by taking into account your heart rate, respiration rate, and skin temperature. Activities that increase stress levels include intense physical activity or extreme environments such as hot temperatures and high altitudes. A high stress level can also be caused by mentally draining activities such as studying for a really important exam at school or working on a highly pressured challenging project at work.

As with any Fitness watch features on any of the more advanced models on the market today. It is important to note that while Garmin's stress level is an excellent indicator of one's overall health and wellness, it should be used as just that, an indicator. The score displayed on the device should not be viewed as the sole measure of determining your stress levels. Many other factors will come into play such as lifestyle, age, and underlying medical conditions that can significantly influence a person's high stress levels. In addition to this, it is also very important to keep in mind that your stress levels will vary throughout the day depending on the activities you partake in and even how you feel at any given time. Overall, Garmin's stress score level is an excellent tool to help individuals better understand their overall stress data, health, and well-being, and it is a great metric to keep track of overtime to identify any trends. It can allow users to better manage stressors in their lives and help them find the right balance between work and relaxation. By staying mindful and making sure your stress levels don't go above medium stress levels, you can take steps towards creating a healthier lifestyle that promotes overall well-being. 

Do you love using your Garmin watch stress data score to make lifestyle changes to reduce it? If so, you’re well-equipped to better manage stress levels, Here are 5 quick tips to start lowering stress with the help of your trusty Garmin watch:

1. Use the Stress Score Level Monitor and Distress Alerts to your advantage. As we mentioned above Garmin watches feature a built-in stress monitoring system that measures your heart rate variability (HRV) to gauge how well your body is handling stress levels over your week. With this handy information, you can be more mindful of stressful moments and employ calming strategies like deep breathing or mindfulness exercises before they take hold. There’s also an optional distress alert which triggers a notification when your body is under too much stress. 

2. Use your watch to track your sleep quality and set goals. Lack of sleep can be a huge driver of stress, just ask any new parents about the first few months of their baby’s life. Garmin watches also feature sleep-tracking technology that can give you insights into your restful and wakeful states throughout the night. This helps to identify any potential issues with your sleeping patterns, such as restlessness or interrupted sleep. By setting goals for the number of hours you want to get each night, as well as aiming for a consistent bedtime routine, you can take steps towards better rest and therefore lowering your stress levels over time. 

3. Set yourself activity goals, track steps, and aim for doing this outside. Going out for regular walks or stepping outside for a few minutes can do wonders for alleviating stress and improving your health. Just as most fitness watches do, Garmin watches allow you to track how many steps you take each day, as well as set activity goals. If you use these functions but aim for most of your activity to take place in the great outdoors, this has been proven time and time again to reduce stress levels, so why not take advantage? 

4. Try out a few guided breathing sessions. Feeling a little overwhelmed? A cool feature that Garmin watches also offer is guided breathing sessions to give you a break from the intensity of your day. Taking a few minutes to do some deep breathing exercises will help slow your heart rate right down, relax you, and clear your mind. 

5. Use the relaxation timers. Sometimes it can be tough to switch off during a stressful period in your life day. To help with this, Garmin watches also possess relaxation timers which will allow you to set up reminders throughout the day that prompt you to take a few moments to relax. Whether it’s taking a walk, meditating or just taking five minutes out, these reminders will help you stay mindful of your stress levels and make time for self-care. Using these 5 quick tips, you can start using your Garmin watch in smarter ways to manage stress and improve your overall well-being.

Garmin watches and the Garmin connect app can provide an extremely useful guide when it comes to measuring way to measure and monitor your stress levels. Even if you're not feeling particularly stressed out, using the watch can help you to identify any potential causes of stress before it has a chance to become unmanageable, enabling you to make lifestyle changes to combat the problem. Along with this, some of the newer models come with features aimed at helping to reduce stress, such as guided breathing exercises and mindfulness reminders. With the wide range of features available in a Garmin Device, it is easy to see why they are becoming increasingly popular for managing stress levels. So if you're looking for a way to get better insight into your stress levels and gain some helpful tips on how to take control of them, then Garmin watches are definitely worth considering. It's important to remember that stress is a natural part of life and not something to be feared, but instead managed and taken seriously in order to maintain our overall health and wellbeing. By finding the right balance between work, play, rest and relaxation, you can ensure that stress levels remain under control and in a good place. If you're looking for a reliable way to keep an eye on your stress tracking, then investing in a Garmin Device could be a great choice.

Don't let, choosing your next watch strap for your Garmin become a stress, FitstrapsUK are the most trusted retailer of replacement bands for every type of Fitness Watch on the market. You can find our ever growing collecttion here, so browse our range and find the look for you. Finding the perfect watch bands for every occasion will be easier that ever, your Garmin stress level will thank you for it.