Vivosmart 5 Stress Levels Consistently HIGH

Mine is still doing it but I have decided that their software "sees" all my chores, and 11k+ daily steps AT HOME from 5:30am until dinner as "stress," always bright orange. Yesterday I visited family and had a rare two hours where I sat down and chatted and it was recorded as "active" where is the color is grey/white.  So just keep in mind that walking a lot steps and sweeping and folding laundry and lifting and squatting is "stress," but could be higher if you are talking to your mother-in-law during that time.   I see that this issue has been complained about for a long time so I imagine it's pointless to complain to Garmin.  

Interesting to hear others are having the same issue. The more I think about it, the more I think Garmin have purposely undermined their algorithms to make us but more expensive models. Well I guess it worked my Venu 3 although 4xmore expensive does seem to me much more accurate and no regrets, the stress level is a lot better and HR. My next bone of contention is when will they release the ECG app in the UK. 

The only time mine doesn’t record high stress is when it’s blank for not getting a good reading. I’m sure the watches are better, but I don’t like wearing watches. A band like the Vivosmart is fine though. I’ve just learned to accept both the stress and sleep measurements to always be way off. Stress runs at least 70 or more consistently and sleep has only been over 49 a couple times. It’s almost always around 45. The other thing I don’t understand is why my rowing machine workouts don’t count towards intensity minutes. I’m moving a lot and heart rate is up, but they simply go not count. 

Have there been any responses to this problem? Came here looking for solutions...binge watched Elementary day before yesterday to see if I could lower my stress according to Vivosmart 5. Nope absurdly high stress levels...what's up Garmin? 

• I try to just ignore it, but it affects my other stats. My sleep data is all good except for Stress, so I seldom get a sleep score above the higher 40’s. I got a 60 the other day, which was a real shock. I guess the device didn’t get enough stress readings to penalize me. 

I contacted Garmin about 6 months ago re: this issue. Very interaction, as they denied that this is an issue. I then shared a screenshot and link to this thread (and a few others citing same/similar issue). 

The response from Garmin support was that they are constantly updating the software, and offered to replace my device. Otherwise, no real explanation from garmin suport (not to mention no outright acknowledgement that this is an actual issue). Seeing how widespread the issue is on the discussion forums, I declined a new device. 

Have begun shopping for a new non-garmin device, as I can't trust the metrics produced by the 5... Too bad, as I really liked the 4 and only upgraded due to a broken strap. 

I don’t expect laboratory precision and I’m fine with it not being perfectly exact and to use the measurements in a relative way, but this isn’t even close. Nobody expects perfection at the price point and battery life of these consumer devices, but the stress readings are so off that they should let us just turn it off and drop it from the calculations for sleep and whatever else uses it. 

I'm sorry for those in this thread that are experiencing higher than expected stress levels. Can you please double check your Heart Rate Zones? And Max and Resting HR settings? Go to the connect app > more > garmin devices > vivosmart 5 > user profile 

If that all looks correct, can you please reply and let me know the following?:

• A specific day (by date) where you experienced a higher than expected stress? 
• Confirm that the above date occurred when the software version was 3.25
• What country are you located in?
• Do we have permission to view your connect account?

Hi Maeve, I can't speak for the other users, but the problem here is that the incorrect data occurs EVERY day. For me, I "upgraded" to the Vivosmart 5 in February 2024, so to address your first bullet point, the specific days where higher than expected stress was experienced would be ~02/01/2024 through today (12/31/2024). 

Repeating what I already went through directly with Garmin support via email, my stress level is always above 50 if I am awake (even lying on the couch). If I do anything other than lay motionless, stress level shows 80+ (ie. sitting at my desk). If I am standing, walking, moving, stress level always shows 90+. 

None of the above problems were present when I was using Vivosmart 4. With Vivosmart 5, stress level, and body battery are completely useless metrics due to the above. I also therefore doubt accuracy of all other metrics produced by the device. 

Confirmed software is up to date. Located in Canada and Garmin has permission to view my connect account.