Embodiments of the invention relate generally to electrical and electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, and wearable computing devices for facilitating health and wellness-related information. More specifically, disclosed are electrodes and methods to determine physiological states using a wearable device (or carried device) and one or more sensors that can be subject to motion. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a sensor signal including data representing physiological characteristics in a wearable device from a distal end of a limb and a motion sensor signal. The method includes decomposing at a processor the sensor signal to determine physiological signal components. A physiological characteristic signal is generated that includes data representing a physiological characteristic, which can form a basis to determine a physiological state based on, for example, bioimpedance signals originating from the distal end of the limb.