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Sweaty palms. Pounding heart. Red face. We\u2019ve all experienced signs of stress \u2014 whether it\u2019s for something we\u2019re looking forward to, like a first date, or something more daunting, like a big test or a tight deadline. Stress is a normal, and sometimes challenging, part of our lives. So when it pops up, it\u2019s important we know how to safely monitor, understand and manage it.<\/p>\n
For National Stress Awareness Month, we\u2019re sharing three ways Google products and features can help you better understand and manage your stress levels \u2014 from alerting you to signs of stress to sharing personalized tips for a better night\u2019s sleep.<\/p>\n
While shortness of breath or knots in your stomach are pretty obvious signs of acute stress (otherwise known as \u201cin-the-moment stress\u201d), others associated with chronic stress can be harder to recognize. Fitbit\u2019s Body Response feature on Sense 2 eliminates the guesswork. It continuously measures heart rate, heart rate variability, skin temperature and electrodermal activity (tiny electrical changes on your skin) to recognize physical signs of stress and alert you when they happen. You can then log your mood directly on your Sense 2 or within the Fitbit app, and use your device to take action right away \u2014 like with a quick breathing exercise in the Relax app or a mindfulness exercise in Fitbit Premium.<\/p>\n
Fitbit\u2019s other stress management features can also help you learn how your body responds to different experiences. Fitbit Premium\u2019s Daily Readiness Score takes into account your recent activity, sleep and heart rate variability \u2014 all of which can be affected when you\u2019re stressed \u2014 and shares recommendations. For instance, it might suggest you take a rest day, with restorative activities like walking or stretching, instead of doing an intense workout.<\/p>\n
Sleep and stress are closely related: If you\u2019ve had a stressful day, you probably won\u2019t sleep soundly that night\u2026 which makes you more vulnerable to stress the next day. If you\u2019re caught in that endless cycle, try setting a bedtime reminder on your Fitbit device. These reminders can help you wind down and lower your stress levels with prompts like meditating before bed.<\/p>\n
Sleep Profile, available with Fitbit Premium for Google Pixel Watch and Fitbit users, also shares monthly insights into your sleep patterns and suggestions to help you get a better night\u2019s rest. Don\u2019t like wearing something on your wrist at night? Nest Hub (2nd Gen) with Sleep Sensing uses motion and sound to monitor your sleep, and offers advice based on your patterns \u2014 like suggesting breathing exercises or reflective journaling before bed. It can also help you fall asleep and wake up more easily with automatic routines such as display dimming in the evening and Sunrise Alarm in the morning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n