There are things that are easy to measure, typically because they have a numerical value associated with them–things like height and weight. Then there are things that are more difficult to measure because they are more subjective. The most applicable example here is trying to measure how we feel. Feelings are hard to measure, but they have a huge effect on our mood, demeanor, and outlook.
So as we look at what this means for our stress levels, the challenge is apparent. There are no really good measurements, per se, to tell us whether our stress levels are improving, getting worse, or staying the same. My smartwatch attempts to assign a number to my stress levels, which I suppose is okay… It measures heart rate variability, which is the variation in the time that occurs between each heartbeat. The premise here is that emotional reactions to stressful situations, or overall feelings of stress cause an increase in heart rate. So, it takes this data and combines it with other inputs like the amount of rest or the amount of exercise I get (because each of those affects our stress levels) and comes up with a value that it associates with my level of “stress.”
My data shows that my stress levels primarily reside in the “low stress” range. Now, is this measurement on my watch accurate? Meaning, is it a true measurement of the stress I’m feeling? Maybe. I certainly don’t feel overly stressed most of the time. But it does give me a form of feedback from one day to the next. For example, I can tell if today was better or worse than the day before.
Measurements are feedback. When you’re looking at your stress levels, you can use a smartwatch device, or even self-assess how you’re feeling from one day to the next. However you choose to approach this, I encourage you to stay focused on what you’re truly attempting to measure. I’ll talk about why this is important in the next segment and some other approaches to measuring progress. I’d also be remiss if I didn’t point out that I use rest and exercise to manage my stress while coping with the busyness and demands of life. Continued improvement in these areas helps each of us manage our stress.
Defining Success in Stress Management