Home → Insights → Stress and HRV
How Stress Affects HRV
Stress influences the autonomic nervous system and therefore directly affects heart rate variability (HRV). Many wearables use HRV as an indirect indicator of stress and recovery.
Why HRV Responds to Stress
HRV reflects the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems. Stress activates the sympathetic system, which typically reduces HRV.
Signs of Elevated Stress
- lower HRV
- higher resting heart rate
- poor sleep quality
- reduced recovery
How to Reduce Stress
- consistent sleep
- physical activity
- breathing exercises
- regular breaks