In this article, you’ll find a clear explanation of what the Reactivity Monitor is, how it works, and how to read your data. You’ll also learn about common reactivity patterns and what they may tell you about your stress resilience.
- Good-to-knows
- What the Reactivity Monitor is and does
- Key terms
- How to read the Reactivity Monitor
- Understanding your Stress Resilience
Good-to-knows
- The Reactivity Monitor is available in the Timeline.
- The Reactivity Monitor becomes available after 5 days of collecting at least 6 hours of data per day.
What the Reactivity Monitor is and does
Reactivity refers to how your body responds to what’s happening around you. The Reactivity Monitor gives you a view of these responses to both physical activity and stress.
Stress can be:
Mental, such as feeling nervous before a presentation.
Physical, such as reacting to an illness.
By highlighting when stress occurs, the Reactivity Monitor helps you:
Spot patterns throughout your day
Identify what triggers stress
Notice when you’re more or less sensitive to stress
Understand how quickly you recover afterward
The Reactivity Monitor is based on your heart rate and movement patterns. We intentionally exclude Heart Rate Variability (HRV) because HRV is not reliable for continuous monitoring during daily activities.
Your Reactivity Monitor becomes available after 5 days of collecting at least 6 hours of data per day. It will continue to adjust over the following 60 days.
Key terms
Homeostasis
A balanced state where your body is steady. You might feel calm, but you can also feel engaged or focused. This often happens during everyday activities such as working, reading, or chatting.
Reactivity
A physical response to something happening around you or inside you. This can include emotional reactions or physical activity. The Reactivity Monitor detects these changes through patterns in your heart rate and movement.
Stress Response
A stress response is the physiological reaction that happens when your body senses a challenge, whether real or perceived. It’s not the same as an emotion like anxiety. Your stress response comes from changes in your body — and it can be triggered by both worry and excitement.
Sympathetic Nervous System (fight-or-flight)
Increases reactivity to help your body respond quickly. Your heart rate rises, breathing speeds up, and you become more alert.
Parasympathetic Nervous System (rest-and-digest)
Decreases reactivity to support recovery. Your heart rate slows, digestion increases, and your body shifts into repair mode.
How to read the Reactivity Monitor
The Reactivity Monitor shows your reactivity as a line on the chart. It uses colors to help you understand your current state:
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Purple: Higher reactivity linked to emotional responses such as stress or excitement
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Blue: Physical activity, such as walking or exercising, or recovering shortly afterward
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Green: Low reactivity, often seen during restful states like sleep
When the line is above Homeostasis, your body is responding to a situation — either through stress (purple) or activity (blue).
When the line stays below Homeostasis for long periods, it may signal fatigue or low energy, which can happen when you are recovering or getting sick.
Understanding your Stress Resilience
Stress resilience is how easily your body recovers after a stress response.
Your Reactivity Monitor shows how well your body handles daily demands and how quickly it returns to balance. Spending more time in Homeostasis is generally a sign of steady resilience.
Your reactivity naturally changes throughout the day. You may step out of Homeostasis during workouts, challenges, or exciting moments. What matters most is how smoothly you return to balance.
Below are the four patterns you may see in your Reactivity Monitor.
Resilient System
When your readings frequently stay in Homeostasis, it shows your body is balanced and recovering well.
High resilience
You spend most of the day in Homeostasis and recover quickly from short stress responses.
Low resilience
You spend more time outside Homeostasis and recover more slowly. Taking small breaks — such as deep breathing or a short walk — can help support recovery.
Delayed Recovery
If your reactivity stays high after a stressful moment, it may take longer than usual for your body to reset. This can place extra pressure on your body over time.
High load (Delayed Recovery)
You may experience 3 or more hours of stress responses in a day, and recovery periods are slower. Short, gentle pauses can help you return to balance.
Heightened Sensitivity
If your reactivity spikes often, even with small triggers, your system may be more sensitive at the moment. This can feel draining and lead to irritability.
High load (Heightened Sensitivity)
Your body may be reacting more strongly to everyday demands. Small breaks during the day can help reset your body.
Delayed Recovery & Heightened Sensitivity
You may notice frequent stress responses combined with slower recovery. Even minor stressors can feel more demanding. Gentle pauses can support balance and resilience.
Depleted Resources
If your readings stay below Homeostasis most of the day, your system may be low on energy. This can happen when you are tired, recovering, or becoming sick.
You may feel unmotivated or less interested in activities you usually enjoy. This is your body prioritizing recovery.
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