Overview
The Morning check-in includes a short daily reading that measures your heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV).
Taking your morning reading at a consistent time and place makes it easier to build a reliable baseline and spot changes in your body's biometrics.
You can take your reading using either your Visible Band 2.0 or your phone camera.
During your Morning check-in, you'll take a one-minute reading to measure your heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV). This gives you a consistent snapshot of how your body is doing each morning.
Your reading is combined with your sleep rating and symptom ratings from your Evening check-in. Together, they are used to create your Morning Stability score. This score reflects how stable your body is compared to your personal baseline.
Why morning measurements
Measuring your heart rate and heart rate variability in the morning is a reliable way to track changes in your body's signals over time. Taking your morning reading before getting out of bed means you get as close to a resting HR as possible. HRV is also a particularly sensitive metric, so it's important to measure it in a calm, repeatable environment each day.
The suggestion of using morning readings is informed by the expertise of Visible’s advisors and HRV experts. They say that it's one of the most reliable ways to get comparable day-to-day readings and build a baseline.
Tips for a successful morning reading
Here are some recommendations on how to take your Morning check-in reading each day:
Best time: Right after waking up, ideally before getting out of bed. This helps capture your true resting heart rate.
Best position: Lying down is often the most reliable position, especially if you're sensitive to changes in posture.
Stay still and relaxed: Stay very still throughout your morning reading and remain calm and comfortable throughout.
Keep your routine consistent: Do your Morning check-in at a similar time and in the same position each day. This helps make your readings easier to compare over time.
Whatever your routine looks like, just try to stick to it as best you can. It's still valuable to do your Morning check-in whenever and however you can.
Before starting your Morning check-in, also make sure:
You have a strong and stable internet connection. If you don't, the heart rate reading may not start or complete.
If using your band: It has at least 10% battery, and your heart rate data is fully synced with the app.
If using your phone camera: You have enough light. You can use a secondary light, such as a bright lamp, if needed.
How HR and HRV are measured
Visible measures your heart rate and heart rate variability using a method known as photoplethysmography (PPG).
PPG is an optical method used to detect small changes in blood volume in body tissues, such as the finger. As the heart pumps blood around the body, the volume of blood in the arteries and capillaries changes slightly in sync with each heartbeat. This creates subtle changes in skin color due to how light is absorbed and reflected by the skin.
By measuring small changes in reflected light and skin color, Visible can detect your heart rate and the timing of the intervals between heartbeats. This is used to calculate your HRV.
Members: Visible Band 2.0
Visible Band 2.0 uses an optical heart rate sensor to measure your heart rate and heart rate variability. When wearing your band on your arm or wrist, the sensor shines light into your skin and detects changes in the reflected light as blood flows through the capillaries.
Free users: phone camera
Visible’s free research app uses your phone camera to measure your heart rate and heart rate variability. By placing your finger on the camera lens, the camera detects small changes in skin color as your heart pumps blood through your body.
Did you know? If you have a Visible membership, HRV biofeedback is also available during the day via Coherent breathing sessions.
Common questions
What can I do if my band won't switch to HRV mode?
What can I do if my band won't switch to HRV mode?
If your band is failing to switch to HRV mode and is unable to start your Morning Stability score reading, try this quick troubleshooting:
Start the reading on a strong and stable internet connection. If you're using a WiFi connection, try switching to mobile data or vice versa to see if that helps.
Check your battery level. If you have less than 10% charge left on your battery, recharge your band before trying again.
Disconnect and reconnect your band in the Visible app. This helps refresh the connection between the band and the app.
What can I do if my Morning Stability score reading gets stuck at 95%?
What can I do if my Morning Stability score reading gets stuck at 95%?
If your Morning Stability score stops at about 95% and fails to complete, it can indicate an issue with your internet connection or that there was too much movement during the reading. Always start the reading on a strong and stable internet connection. If you're using a WiFi connection, try switching to mobile data or vice versa to see if that helps.
When will automated overnight measurements be available?
When will automated overnight measurements be available?
We're currently trialing a new version of the Morning Stability score that uses your overnight heart rate and heart rate variability data. As soon as you've rated your sleep in your Morning check-in, your score will be ready. No morning reading will be needed.
This new version, Stability Score (overnight mode), is currently being used by a group of members as an Early Access feature. Early Access is an invite-only program that allows members to try new features while they are still being developed. Member feedback will shape the experience before we roll it out more widely.
We don't have a date yet for full rollout, but we'll keep you updated with progress. At this stage, you cannot request an invite to join testing.