How does Samsung Health measure stress? (7 ways)
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In this guide, we will discuss how does Samsung Health measure stress.
How does Samsung Health measure stress?
The Samsung Galaxy watch measures stress based on the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) which is calculated continuously from the heartbeats record gathered from the heart-rate sensor located on the Samsung watch and some Samsung Galaxy models
How Does my Phone Measure Stress?
Your phone measures stress by measuring your heart rate variability, which is often a good measure of stress. Phones have a heart rate sensor on the back which they may use to assess the stress level of the person.
The question “How does Samsung Health measure stress?” is very common among Samsung users, needless to say, it is not available in iOS devices.
To use this feature, your phone must have a heart rate sensor but this is not available on all phones.
However, you can connect a wearable with a heart rate sensor and measure your stress using it.
We all know what it means and feels to be stressed, we all have felt it at some point, especially in this new era where all we do is stress out about having to pay bills, getting a new job, struggling with relationships, etc.
However, consider that “Samsung Health is intended for fitness and informational purposes only and is not intended for use in the diagnosis of a disease or other conditions, or in the cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease (Samsung.com).”
The first thing that you need to do is add the Stress tracker to Samsung Health if it is not already showing on the Home tab, then, open Samsung health (if you haven’t already) and then swipe to the stress tracker.
Tap “measure” on the stress tracker, agree to the information and then tap measure again.
Next, place your finger on your phone’s heart rate sensor but avoid pressing it too hard and make sure you stay quiet and still.
“Your heart rate (the heart icon), oxygen saturation (the water droplet icon), and stress level will all be measured (Samsung.com).”
Then you can see your status, enter notes, record, save your measurements and if you tap “Trends” you can see your different stress levels.
At first glance, the stress monitor looks like it holds the same promise of meaningful data as the heart-rate monitor.
It uses the oximeter in the same way as a pulse reading, but the process takes a lot longer: a full minute of being still and quiet with your finger pressed gently up against the hardware widget, which sits just below the rear camera.
I assumed the stress monitor needed all this time in order to measure my heart-rate variability (HRV), as opposed to just my absolute heart-rate.
I also assumed that a more erratic pulse was bad, while a steadier one was good. Ultimately, however, this was all just guesswork on my part.
The user manual inside the app offered no information whatsoever, and neither did any official documentation that I could find on the web.
As things stand, the primary definition of the word “stress” that is offered by Samsung is a pictorial one inside the app itself, showing a person’s head with lightning bolts coming out of it.
That’s something that I can definitely empathize with since I feel like that on a regular basis, but it obviously doesn’t stand up to scientific scrutiny.
It is important to consider that there are several symptoms related to stress, not only a faster heart rate so this probably won’t be very accurate in determining if you are really stressed or not.
However, listen to your body and try adopting stress management techniques to cope with stress.
How to do a Samsung Health Stress Test
The Samsung health stress test is very simple. To test your stress levels through Samsung health, one needs to open the Samsung Health app on their phone or their smartwatch and use the heart rate sensor to assess their Heart rate Variability. If someone’s heart rate variability is too much, it means that they may have high levels of stress.
Tips for best results…
Remember, Samsung Health can only get accurate measurements if you are sitting still and if your phone’s heart rate sensor works properly.
For best results when measuring your stress levels, it is advised to follow these tips:
- Make sure to clean the sensor by wiping it gently with a dry cloth.
- Remain seated and relaxed during the measurement and until it is completed.
- Remember to remove the protective plastic from the sensor before using it.
- Rest for 30 minutes and then try it again (if the measurement is very different from the expected heart rate).
- Do not talk, yawn, breathe deeply or move your body because by doing so the sensor could give you an inaccurate reading.
- Adjust the position of your finger on the sensor (or the watch on your wrist) if the heart rate measurement is not working properly.
- During the winter, try keeping yourself warm before and when measuring since heart rate taken at low temperatures can result in an inaccurate reading.
How to manage your stress with Samsung Health?
Let’s imagine you have used Samsung Health to measure your stress and you have noticed it is very high.
However, what can you do with this measure? How can you manage your stress levels?
We have the answer for you, or well, Samsung does. Samsung Health “can help keep away the post-vacation blues with a suite of meditation and mindfulness features that are designed to help you manage your body and mind in collaboration with Calm (Samsungmobilepress.com).”
As mentioned, in collaboration with Calm (the number 1 sleep and meditation app), Samsung Health offers a Mindfulness Service “to make sure you stay relaxed this season, here are some helpful tips for using Samsung Health to manage your stress (Samsungmobilepress.com).”
Take some time to meditate
When stress levels are overwhelming, it can actually interrupt our normal functioning and daily activities.
However, meditation has been proven, through research, to be one of the best options to reduce your stress levels, anxiety and depression.
Mindfulness techniques can include quiet meditation, breathing exercises, and directed attention.
The best thing is that you can benefit from this powerful technique through the app on your phone, whenever you have the chance.
Through the Samsung Health app, you have a variety of mindfulness exercises and guided meditation.
The only thing you need to do is open the app, select “Discover” and tap “Mindfulness”.
There, you can select guided meditation programs, Sleep stories and a wide variety of relaxing music to meditate or simply taking some time to yourself to relax.
Why is this blog about “How does Samsung Health measure stress” important?
Stress is a normal part of our lives. Sometimes, we are not aware we are continuously stressed because we are already so used to it.
However, there are several options available in the market to measure our stress levels.
However, consider how the Samsung Health heart rate sensor only measures your Heart Rate Variability and this is only considered one of the many symptoms that account for stress.
If You feel you are showing stress symptoms and it is interfering with your daily functioning, try adopting stress management techniques or consult a mental health professional for additional coping strategies.
Please feel free to comment in the comments section below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about “How does Samsung health measure stress”
Is Samsung stress measure accurate?
To get an accurate Samsung stress measure, it is required to stay still and that your phone’s heart rate sensor is functioning properly.
How does Samsung Galaxy watch measure stress?
The Samsung Galaxy watch measures stress based on the Heart Rate Variability (HRV) which is calculated continuously from the heartbeats record gathered from the heart-rate sensor located on the watch and some Samsung Galaxy models.
How is stress measured?
Most devices offer to measure stress by detecting the changes in the interval between heartbeats or heart rate variability.
Can you measure stress?
An accurate way to measure stress would be through saliva since it measures stress hormone levels.
Some other physical ways to measure stress would be through your pulse or blood pressure.
However, these are relative measures, the same as if you were getting a blood test sample taken to test depression.
How does stress meter work?
The stress meter gives a visual indication through a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display along with a warning beep if stress is very high.
It can be worn around the wrist and this is based on the principle that the resistance of the skin varies in accordance with your emotional states.
How accurate is the Samsung health app?
The Samsung health app is considered one of the most accurate heath apps, especially if you pair it with another Samsung health device – the smartwatch.
According to various Samsung health reviews, this app is as accurate as possible, but you have to take into consideration that you have to carry your phone and synchronize your data as often as possible – that is if you do not carry a fitness band.
How to access Samsung health online support?
To access the Samsung health online support, you have to go to Samsung health website and look for an open discussion regarding your query.
Alternatively you can email or access the Samsung live chat.
What is the samsung oxygen saturation accuracy?
The samsung oxygen saturation level estimates your oxygen level.
You should not rely entirely on the Samsung oxygen saturation, as it does not measure you oxygen level as accurately as you think.
There are numerous studies out there that express doctors’ concerns regarding these types of apps.
In 2019, Schrading and colleagues evaluated three smartphones’ pulse oximetry apps and they concluded that we couldn’t reliably identify people who did not have enough oxygen.
Is the samsung heart rate monitor accurate?
The samsung heart rate monitor estimates your heart rate in Beats per Minute using an optical LED light source and an LED light sensor.
The key word here is “estimates” which means that you should not rely 100% on the accuracy of this app, as it may be wrong sometimes.
Is the samsung fitness app reliable?
The Samsung fitness app is reliable in terms of getting a general idea on the status of your health.
It is also great for motivating you to move more, to eat and sleep better.
But, if you are concerned about your health, you should always consult a doctor first.
What is the Samsung health devices list?
The Samsung health device list includes the following: fitness trackers, bike sensors, blood glucose monitors, blood pressure monitors, heart rate monitors, smartwatches and weighing scales.
How does S health measure stress?
S Health, or Samsung Health, measures Stress by using the heart rate sensor on the back of the phone, and through this S Health can measure the stress level from low to high. S Health measures stress through measuring heart rate variability, and the lower the difference between the heart beats, the higher the stress is.
References
Samsung.com: Use and manage trackers in Samsung Health
Samsung.com: Measure your stress level with Samsung Health