Stress is a part of life. It is both an advantage and a disadvantage, depending on how a person manages it. For some, it serves as the necessary factor in getting the job done right, for others it is a cause of serious diseases. Stress is helpful when managed properly, but it can also be deadly when allowed to take its toll.

Stress Management. For employees who are living in a fast-paced work environment such as the military and customer support, stress management is important if they wish to survive, thrive and reach their goals. People thought a person had to be emotionally stable in order to manage stress properly – that devices were not enough to avoid the lethal effects of stress. While this is true in many cases, the fact that remains is that people have to be keenly aware of their stress levels. Those who are highly tensed find it more difficult to manage their stress than those who are just starting to experience tension. By using a health monitor, employees become aware of the changes that their body is undergoing when they become stressed, thereby allowing them to curb the effects of stress even before it starts.

Existing Health Software for Stress Management. At present, there is already a number of stress management health software out on the market.

EmWave PC is a computer based personal learning system that allows you to observe your heart rate variability rhythm. The system also incorporates several stress management techniques which you can use to help you relax. When your heart rhythm changes, it is seen as the first signs of stress and you can use the interactive games and Coherence Coach which is included with the software to bring yourself back into a state of peace and calmness – a state that will allow you to become more productive. The health software also includes an emotional visualizer in full color to help you enter a state of peace and calm. The software comes with a 30-day money back guarantee and its content has recently been updated by its manufacturer. While it has a lot of advantages, one of the biggest drawbacks to using this health monitor is that it difficult to understand and it relies solely on the heart rate as a signal of stress. Needless to say, emWave PC can make inaccurate readings.

HealthTracker Professional is a favorite among professional stress counselors. It has both audio and video feedback and it works with ECG and respiratory signals. Unfortunately, it was designed with the experts in mind and end users will find it difficult to monitor stress at home using this health software.

Stress Sweeper helps normalize blood pressure and improve the immune system through an on-screen pacer that teaches the user how he or she can breathe the right way. It is fairly easy to use, thanks to its 5 to 15 minute live training sessions. The software also includes reporting screens so you can monitor your progress in learning how to manage stress. It comes with a clip pulse wave sensor which is then plugged into the USB port of your computer.