Increased HRV after break-up
Question: Hello! I have “tore off the band-aid” and ended it with a boyfriend whom I felt I was tense and stressed around. This has been stealing energy for several years. Despite ongoing anger and bitterness on his part, I feel really good and a sense of freedom. My HRV curve has skyrocketed since the breakup. I have not changed much in other aspects of my life. Could it be correct (as I believe) that my chronic stressor is gone and HRV is rising because of this? Or is it like the clock says “you are out of balance, more rest will find the balance”? I hope that I am not out of balance now, and that I would rather find a new and higher baseline for my HRV. Grateful for answers.
Answer: Hi, it is interesting that you got that effect! I have heard the same from others who have made similar decisions after a long period of assessment in a state of stress. Mental stress certainly shows up on the clock’s readings. Otherwise, it is a bit strange that Garmin warns against this increase in HRV, which in my experience is roughly equivalent to an improvement in stress balance. It seems like you have made the right decision and that it is good for you. It is not necessarily so for everyone. A search on internet for “divorce and heart rate variability” shows a finding that indicates more stress after divorce. Your story is a good example that the most important thing is what you measure individually, as opposed to what an average in a population experiences.
Good luck and thanks for sharing!
Regards, Dr. Torkil
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