How to Slow Down Your Pulse

A pulse, or pulse rate, is the human measure of the arterial palpitation of the heartbeat. Nurses and doctors take the pulse of patients because it is a strong indicator of a person's health. High pulse rates are an indicator of stress, anxiety or pain, and it makes the heart work harder than it has to. Slowing your pulse relieves strain on your heart in stressful situations and allows you to return to a relaxed state quicker. A normal pulse rate for adults is 60 to 100 beats per minute.

Instructions

• 1

  Remove any sources of stress on the body. If performing a stressful task, stop performing it. If in a stressful situation, leave the area for a quieter, more peaceful one.

• 2

  Exercise regularly. Exercising improves the heart's ability to provide oxygen to muscles. Athletes have much lower resting pulse rates than the normal population. The better your cardiovascular health, the lower your pulse rate when resting or when exerting yourself physically. This leads to reduced stress on your heart.

• 3

  Do yoga. Yoga exercises reduce the pulse rate.

• 4

  Practice relaxation breathing. Sit comfortably with legs uncrossed, hands open and eyes closed. Take deep, controlled breaths to provide extra oxygen to muscles.