Words Karen Weir
Heart Rate Variability or HRV is a really useful tool that gives you an objective measure of the level of stress your body is dealing with. This is especially important to runners as research has shown the more stress we are experiencing the more likely it is we will get injured or ill; stopping us from being able to participate in the very sport that for so many of us helps to relieve stress.
The problem is, as busy, active women we have become desensitised to life stress. We take it all in our stride, declaring ‘I don’t feel stressed’ because a lengthy commute, getting the kids to school on time, dealing with argumentative colleagues, skipping lunch or staying late at the office to finish a presentation all seem normal, everyday occurrences.