If you’re reading this then you’re most likely surprised that your Mood rating has turned amber or red.
You’re thinking “I’ve had a few mediocre days here and there, but I’ve never selected the frown-face option. How can this rating be right?”
Let’s first remember that your ratings aren’t here to pass scornful judgement like a daytime soap opera villain – we’re here to help you better understand your health because knowledge is the first step to empowerment and improvement.
Our team of data scientists used scientifically-validated measures of wellbeing to design the framework for our Mind ratings.
In particular, our analysts referred to the World Health Organisation Five Wellbeing Index (WHO-5) in conjunction with our own participant research study to determine the parameters of each Mind rating.
Using these results, our scientists established Mood rating profiles based on the ratio of good to bad emotions selected over the past 14 days. You may receive an amber or red Mood rating without ever having selected the 'Bad' or 'OK' overall option at the beginning of your check-in.
Example time!
It's the end of the day and user Bobbie is checking in. On the first page of the check-in Bob selects overall I feel 'Good' (example below).
Bob then selects 5 emotions:
- 1 positive emotion = Grateful
- 4 negative emotions = Annoyed, Anxious, Disappointed, Frustrated
Ratio = 1:4 positive to negative emotions
With a ratio of 1:4, Bobbie's selection results in the negative emotions outweighing the positive. Although he initially reported having a good day overall, the ratio of emotions will weigh his rating towards an amber or red rating.
How do OK-ish emotions affect my Mind rating?
Let's remember that an amber or red rating is not designed to discourage you – in fact it’s a good indication that you’ve been getting real about how you’ve been feeling (it’s not always easy being honest with ourselves).
After all, completing a mood check-in isn’t about choosing the responses that we hope will give us a green rating – it’s about allowing ourselves to take a moment in our busy day to stop, reflect, and acknowledge our emotional state.