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How Tracking My Stress with Fitbit Changed My Well-Being

Writer's picture: aggiethibodauxaggiethibodaux

As someone who juggles running a nonprofit, managing a private counseling practice, and staying committed to my own healing journey, stress is something I’ve had to learn to manage intentionally. That’s why my Fitbit has become one of my most valuable tools—it doesn’t just count my steps or track my sleep, it actually helps me understand and manage my stress in a way that has improved my overall well-being.


Understanding the Fitbit Stress Score


One of the features I rely on most is Fitbit’s Stress Management Score. This score is based on three key factors:

1. Physical activity – How much exertion my body is under, including exercise and overall movement.

2. Sleep patterns – The quality and quantity of my rest, including deep sleep, REM sleep, and disturbances.

3. Heart rate variability (HRV) and responsiveness – How my body physiologically responds to stress throughout the day.


Every morning, I check my stress score to see where I stand. If my score is lower than usual, it’s usually a sign that I either didn’t get enough sleep, pushed my body too hard, or had an emotionally heavy day. This insight allows me to course-correct before stress accumulates and leads to burnout.



How My Fitbit Helps Me Manage Stress


1. Sleep: The Foundation of Stress Management


Before tracking my stress score, I didn’t realize just how much my sleep (or lack thereof) was affecting my stress levels. When my sleep score dips, my stress score almost always follows. By using Fitbit’s sleep tracking, I can see whether I’m getting enough deep sleep and REM sleep, both of which are crucial for emotional regulation and recovery.


If my stress score is low due to poor sleep, I focus on winding down earlier, reducing screen time before bed, and incorporating meditation or breathwork into my nighttime routine.


2. Psychological Stress: Awareness Leads to Action


As a mental health counselor, I know how important it is to recognize psychological stress, but it wasn’t until I started tracking it that I truly saw its impact on my body. Fitbit helps me stay aware of how stress manifests physically—whether it’s through an elevated heart rate, tension, or poor recovery.


On days when my stress score is lower due to emotional stress, I prioritize self-care strategies like mindfulness, Reiki, or grounding exercises. I also pay close attention to my breathing and use Fitbit’s guided breathing sessions to help me reset.


3. Activity: Finding the Balance


Movement is an essential part of my stress management, but there’s a fine line between beneficial activity and overexertion. Fitbit helps me recognize when I’m pushing too hard or not moving enough. If my activity levels are too high and my stress score drops, I take it as a sign to slow down, stretch, and allow my body to recover.


On the flip side, if I’ve been sedentary and my stress score is low, I know it’s time to move. Even a short walk or yoga session can make a huge difference in how I feel both mentally and physically.


The Power of Awareness


Using Fitbit to track my stress has been a game-changer. It’s given me a tangible way to monitor how my lifestyle choices—sleep, movement, and emotional well-being—affect my overall stress levels. More importantly, it helps me make real-time adjustments before stress takes over.


If you’re looking for a way to better understand your body’s response to stress and take control of your well-being, I highly recommend giving Fitbit’s stress tracking a try. It’s not about avoiding stress completely (because let’s be real, life happens), but rather learning how to manage it in a way that supports long-term health and happiness.


Do you use Fitbit to track your stress? I’d love to hear how it’s helped you in the comments!


Did you know?

Blue Cross offers a 16% discount on Fitbit devices! If you’ve been thinking about getting one, check with your provider to see if you qualify for the discount.

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