Experiencing stress is a natural part of life. But when it becomes chronic and is left unmanaged, it can negatively impact us physically, mentally, and emotionally. Through the demands of the day and busy schedules, it can be tempting to plow through stressful feelings and situations and deal with the consequences later. Tracking and monitoring stress levels can serve as an intentional reminder to address our triggers and responses and find healthier ways to cope during difficult seasons. Newer technologies monitor how stress affects our bodies by tracking heart rate, brainwaves, or hormone levels. Stress tracking is becoming more accessible as many devices, such as watches and rings, commonly use heart rate to measure and estimate daily stress levels.
The Benefits
Stress can often go unmanaged in two common ways. First, we tend to avoid or ignore it. We can focus so much on the problem or situation that we overlook how we are responding to it. Second, it is common to choose poor or unhealthy coping habits during stressful seasons. Binging on food, excess screen time, or alcoholic drinks might feel like a quick escape, but rarely do they provide lasting relief from stress. These unhealthy coping habits can contribute to feelings of guilt and compound existing stress. Wearable devices with stress tracking capabilities bring awareness to the forefront of your day. They serve as a constant reminder to pay attention to how your body is handling stress. These trackers can provide helpful information to understand what your body needs in the moment and throughout the day.
How to Interpret Results
Since many wearables use heart rate variance to estimate stress levels, there is room for interpretation. It provides a quick glimpse into how our bodies may respond in challenging situations or when we might need to slow down and take a break to breathe and relax. The trackers are limited in their capabilities. Since the monitored metric is heart rate, there are constraints. It does not give a full picture of how stress is affecting your whole body, and it cannot tell you why the stress is occurring. These limitations highlight the importance of being aware of your personal warning signs, triggers, and responses to stress. However, the tracking and alerts serve as a reminder to check in, acknowledge the body’s current response, and intentionally take a moment to manage it. Some devices will even offer features such as guided meditations, deep-breathing exercises, or stretch breaks to help promote relaxation.
The Future of Stress Tech
While heart rate monitoring is one of the most accessible forms of stress tracking, more research is emerging using other metrics, such as hormone monitoring. During times of stress, the body increases its production of the hormone cortisol. Cortisol plays a key role in the fight-or-flight response, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and blood glucose levels while slowing digestion. These reactions are necessary and beneficial during an emergency. However, when stress becomes chronic and unmanaged, these reactions can continue and adversely affect our health. Technology capable of continuously monitoring cortisol levels could provide comprehensive data on stress levels throughout the day. Over the next few years, we will likely see continued growth in this field, along with more research, improved accuracy, and increasingly detailed data.
Continue Reading September 2026 Newsletter: Snack Smart: Mini-Meals and Nutrient-Packed Bites for Busy Days