Do fitness trackers track anxiety levels? Although most activity fitness watches are known to track burned calories, steps, and general fitness progress, some related devices go the extra mile and monitor stress levels.
How do they do it? How does a smartwatch measure stress? This article will explain how fitness trackers measure stress and also help you discover the best anxiety-monitoring watches and fitness trackers in the market.
How Fitness Trackers Measure Stress
Fitness tracking devices measure stress and anxiety by tracking abnormal changes in the interval between heartbeats. Simply put, fitness trackers that have capabilities to track stress have special sensors that monitor any irregular fluctuations of the heart.
High heart rate variability is considered positive, while a low HRV indicates stress. Some anxiety monitoring trackers go a notch higher and use physiological measurements to offer insight into the kind of stresses you put on the body.
Apple, Samsung, Garmin, and Fitbit companies have released to the market fitness and activity tracking devices that not only measure stress levels but also control breathing to help you cope with tension.
In many ways, the companies’ bracelets and watches have customized workouts to help you meet your fitness objectives. Some of the trackers monitor heart rate variability and sleep qualities as parameters of stress.
Read Also: Do Fitness Trackers Improve Health?
The Best Anxiety and Stress Monitor Fitness Trackers
Here’s our list of smartwatches you can buy to track your emotions.
1. Fitbits: Fitbit Charge 3
Can Fitbit track anxiety? Can Fitbit detect stress? Yes, it can. How does Fitbit track stress? Like most anxiety and stress monitor fitness trackers, Fitbit tracks abnormal changes in the interval between heartbeats to detect stress.
But what’s the best Fitbit for anxiety and stress monitoring? Honestly, all the latest versions of Fitbit can be an excellent choice for anyone looking to monitor their stress levels. But we have our best option. It is the Fitbit Charge 3. This unit comes with advanced sensors that help it track your stress levels more accurately than other Fitbit.
Aside from stress tracking, this affordable and stylish anxiety tracker can also track over fifteen activities. The device monitors your heart rate and progress to keep you motivated to exercise. It also tracks your oxygen saturation level during the night and stress levels the whole day. We also liked the fact that this anxiety-monitoring watch is affordable.
Design
The aluminum-made tracker is comfortable to wear. It’s also lightweight and highly durable. The tracker comes with a large, back-lit display that automatically adjusts to lighting conditions. Additionally, the touch screen-operated device allows you to receive app notifications immediately when they come up. Also, Fitbit Charge 3 offers a swim-proof aspect of up to 50 m.
Battery
The device has an impressive battery life of up to 7 days.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Readily available
- Monitors sleep
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With guided breathing sessions, the fitness tracker helps one reduce stress and anxiety levels.
Cons
- The display can be dull and boring.
- The user interface can be better
- Does not have a dedicated GPS
2. Garmin Forerunner 35
Garmin Forerunner 35 not only monitors your heart rate all day and night but also tracks your resting heart rate without a strap. The stress tracker also monitors sleep and heart rate. Through the tracker, you can monitor your running, walking, and other indoor and outdoor activities. The device even reminds you when to move.
Design
The flat-faced designed Garmin Forerunner 35 comes with an adjustable band that accommodates all sizes. The device is waterproof and offers a sleep-tracking feature. It also provides a heart rate monitor and smartphone notifications.
Battery
Garmin Forerunner 35 offers its users a battery life of up to 7 days.
Pros
- Great user experience
- Easy to use
- Affordable
Cons
- It does not have any wireless syncing capabilities.
- Slow heart rate monitor
- Limited fitness tracking
3. Apple Watch Series 5
Can the Apple Watch detect stress? Does Apple Watch help with anxiety? The answer is yes, and the Apple Watch Series 5 is the best Apple Watch for stress and anxiety monitoring.
Apple Watch Series 5 comes up as a proactive health monitor that tracks its users’ activities and their fitness progress with more advanced metrics. Apart from heart rate levels and controlled breathing, the tracker leans towards female needs as it tracks the menstrual cycle.
Design
The design is impressive, and the material used to make it is lightweight and durable. Apple Watch Series 5 comes with in-built GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo for more precise positioning. Additionally, the versatile watch features ground elevation and a compass which comes in handy when hiking.
Battery
Unfortunately, the Apple Watch Series 5 drains after 2 days of continuous activity.
Pros
- Light and comfortable to wear
- Good LED display
- Scratch-resistant
Cons
- Short battery life
- Does not have a sleep monitoring allocation
4. Samsung Galaxy Watch 2
This wearable has a heart rate monitor and an inbuilt GPS. The tracker uses heart rate variability measurements to generate its user’s stress-tracking insights. Additionally, Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 gives its users access to deep and slow breathing exercises to help reduce stress.
But how does the Samsung Watch detect stress? It does so by tracking changes in heart and breathing rate.
Design
Samsung Galaxy Watch 2 is made of stainless steel and is water-resistant for up to 50m. Remarkably, the stylish and elegant, rounded display tracker has an internal storage of 8 GB. The design of the anxiety tracker is unique in that it uses Gorilla Glass DX as its interface. The device also has an LTE side version that sets it apart from its competitors.
Battery
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 prides itself on an impressive battery life of between 24- and 60 hours. The battery lasts for 48 hours with workouts and 24 hours when in display mode
Pros
- State-of-the-art design
- Enviable Internal Storage space
- Impressive battery life
- Seamless synchrony with IOS and Android gadgets
- Automatic workout tracking
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- Limited app support
- No international roaming
- Not much of an upgrade from its predecessors
5. LETSCOM Fitness Tracker
Letscom Fitness Tracker has an intuitive tracker that records up to 14 exercise modes. It tracks the heart rate when one is resting or on the move. The easy-to-use tracker monitors one’s daily physical activities (yoga, walking, and running).
Besides, the tracker alerts you to move around after it detects that you have been seated for long. As a downside, the tracker’s process of monitoring the heart rate involves the use of a rather bright green light. However, the light is not noticeable during the day. But it can be irritating at night.
Design
Letscom Fitness Tracker is more of a bracelet than a watch. The device is eye-catching, light, and comfortable to wear. The display is also great; the viewing experience is sharp and stable. Scrolling through the watch also feels really fluid and silky. The screen is also visible even in direct sunlight.
Battery
Letscom Fitness Tracker can deliver a 1-week battery life.
Pros
- Capable of monitoring steps without relying on arm movement/activity
- Affordable
- Tracks sleep quality
- It can track your heart, sleep, and other workouts
Cons
- Lack of third-party app support
- We had trouble connecting our Letscom Fitness Tracker to the Android Letscom app
6. Amazfit Bip
The trend maker hit the charts as an affordable, stylish, and functional heart rate monitor to help you with your stress level. The tracker also monitors one’s runs, treadmill, cycling, and walking.
We particularly enjoyed how Amazfit Bip offers its users features similar to those of Apple products but at an affordable price. As a bonus, the simple-to-charge device is compatible with IOS and Android gadgets.
Design
Amazfit Bip has a built GPS and optical. The dust and waterproof tracker offers real-time tracking on activities.
Battery
Amazfit Bip Smartwatch has an inbuilt battery plug, and the battery life can last up to a month
Pros
- Durable and Easy to use
- Comfortable to wear
- Long battery life
- Simple to charge
Con
- The activities for exercise are limited
Frequently Asked Questions About Stress and Fitness Tracking Devices
Learn more about these devices from the following questions and answers.
What is the Prevalence of Anxiety in the US?
Studies reveal that close to 20% of American adults are affected by anxiety. The condition symptomizes itself as a feeling of nervousness in an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome. It can become a disorder when experienced at disproportionate levels.
Why Does Fitbit Tell Me to Breathe?
Here’s why: Thoughtful and flexible breathing triggers a higher HRV, and this, in turn, relaxes the body from stress.
Why Is My Stress Level High When I Sleep?
Poor sleeping or blocked airways can increase the risk of stress. Following the right sleep practices can help you reduce your stress levels when you sleep.
Final Word
We hope now you have a clear understanding of how fitness trackers measure stress and anxiety levels. If you are in the market for a fitness tracker to monitor your stress levels, the list we have shared above can help you choose the best one. Make sure you keep it in mind when you go shopping for a tracker.
Read Also: How Fitness Trackers Track Sleep – Are They Accurate?
