Summary:
-
HRV (Heart Rate Variability) is a useful tool:
This tool is used to examine the gaps between your heartbeats and track changes in your autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, representing your body’s readiness to respond to external factors.
-
HRV can predict a decrease in mental health:
A drop in HRV can indicate a shift in your stress levels and suggest an oncoming depression or anxiety episode.
-
Training can affect HRV:
Low-intensity endurance training can increase HRV, while high-intensity workouts can decrease HRV. However, a specific level of variability is necessary to maintain optimal well-being.
-
Other factors can affect HRV:
Sleep, diet, caffeine intake, alcohol, and tobacco use can also affect HRV and should be taken into account for accurate monitoring of ANS activity.
Trifindr’s hot take:
HRV monitoring is a useful tool for athletes to assess their readiness for training and track their progress. However, this new information suggesting HRV can predict changes in mental health highlights the importance of its wider use to the general population. With current global pressures, mental wellbeing has become vital to maintain. Therefore, incorporating HRV into daily life will provide a valuable tool to monitor and prevent mental health issues.
Original article:https://www.triathlete.com/training/the-connection-between-heart-rate-variability-and-mental-health/<>
