Work-Life Balance: A key factor for employee health

1. Heart rate variability – what is that?
2. How can I measure my heart rate variability?
3. What is the ideal heart rate variability?
4. Heart rate variability and stress management – a connection?
5. Heart rate variability and employee health

Heart rate variability is the ability of the heart to adapt its stroke frequency to the current needs of the body. The higher the cardiac variability, the better the regulation of the heart and the more stress-resistant the body is.

A healthy heart should be able to quickly and effectively adapt its impact frequency within a specific range to the current needs of the body. With high cardiac variability, the heart can quickly adjust its stroke frequency within a wide range, which means that the body is able to deal better with stress.

People with lower heart rate variability are, on the other hand, more susceptible to stress and can develop corresponding negative health effects. cardiovascular diseases, strokes and heart attacks are just a few possible consequences of too little cardiovascular variability.

It is therefore important to ensure that the heart remains as flexible as possible and maintains high cardiac variability. Some options are regular exercise and sports activities, meditation and breathing exercises as well as a healthy diet. Massages or other relaxation techniques can also positively influence the cardiac variability.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is the fluctuation of heart rate over time. The heart rate not only varies with our activities, but also with our feelings. For example, if we are happy, the heart rate increases. If we’re sad or scared, it’ll sink.

The variability of heart rates is therefore a measure of the flexibility of the heart system and gives us an insight into how well we can react to challenges. The higher the cardiac variability, the better the heart can react to changes and the healthier it is.

People with high cardiac variability are therefore usually more stress-resistant and have a stronger immune system. They rarely suffer from cardiovascular diseases and are less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety.

The cardiac variability can be measured by recording and analyzing the heart rate over a certain period of time. The measurement is carried out either via an ECG (electrocardiogram) or via a portable sensor which is carried on the wrist or on the upper arm.

Heart rate variability – what is that?

Heart rate variability (HRV) is the fluctuation of heart rate over time. The heart rate not only varies with our activities, but also with our feelings. For example, if we are happy, the heart rate increases. If we’re sad or scared, it’ll sink.

The variability of heart rates is therefore a measure of the flexibility of the heart system and gives us an insight into how well we can react to challenges. The higher the cardiac variability, the better the heart can react to changes and the healthier it is.

People with high cardiac variability are therefore usually more stress-resistant and have a stronger immune system. They rarely suffer from cardiovascular diseases and are less likely to suffer from depression or anxiety.

The cardiac variability can be measured by recording and analyzing the heart rate over a certain period of time. The measurement is carried out either via an ECG (electrocardiogram) or via a portable sensor which is carried on the wrist or on the upper arm.

Heart rate variability, also called HRV, is an important parameter for heart health. It describes the fluctuations in the heart rate and is often regarded as a measure of the autonomous regulation of the heart. The HRV can be both positive (strengthening of HRV) and negative (loss of HRV) and has effects on the entire organism. For example, a high cardiac variability can lower the stress level and improve blood circulation. Conversely, a low heart rate variability can lead to complaints such as fatigue or headache.

The HeartMath method

One way to increase heart rate variability is the so-called HeartMath method. This is a special breathing technique, in which one breathes deeply at regular intervals and concentrates completely on his heart. This method should not only increase HRV, but also lower blood pressure and improve blood circulation. deep breathing and fully focused on the interaction of body and mind. The method is to help better master the stressful everyday life and find inner tranquility. Whether it is really as effective as it is claimed is still unclear.