There are several ways to take your pulse:
- Good old fashioned way (see below)
- Using fitness tracking devices
Taking your pulse using a watch and finger:
- Place two fingers (not a thumb) on your right arm
- Place those two fingers on the thumb side of the arm (around the radial artery)
- Count the number of every beat you hear for 15 seconds (don’t skip one, each beat counts)
- Multiply the number by 4 to get the result
What those cool things mean:
Your heart rate during exercise can be somewhat of a direct variation to the input you exert. For example, the red zone is the highest attainable BPM during exercise
- Resting heart rate lets physicians know the health of your cardiovascular system (lower the resting, the better)
- Recovering heart rate is the period in which your heart returns to resting after exercise.
Almost drowning. I was 7 years old and defiant. My mother warned that the waves could pull me out but I didn't want to listen so I swam out far and by the time I realized I couldn't reach the bottom with my feet a large wave went right over my head. In shock at it I breathed in a large gasp of ocean water and frantically moved to the surface where my father was dragging me back to shore. All the while I coughed up the water and cried. Swimming out too far was an awful choice that I didn't understand the consequences of since I was very young.
You might be depressed
Signs of depression are:
-Sad, empty, or anxious. It will continue over time without getting better or going away.
-Helpless, worthless, or guilty. You may feel bad about yourself or your life, or think a lot about losses or failures.
- You may be pessimistic or believe that nothing good will ever happen. You may even think about suicide.
-Irritable. You may get restless or more cranky than usual.
-Less interest in activities. Hobbies or games you usually enjoy may not appeal to you. You may have little or no desire to eat
-Less energetic. You may feel extremely tired or think more slowly. Daily routines and tasks may seem too hard to manage.
-Trouble concentrating. It could be tough to focus. Simple things like reading a newspaper or watching TV may be hard. You may have trouble remembering details. It might seem overwhelming to make a decision, whether it's big or small.
-Changes in the way you sleep. You may wake up too early or have trouble falling asleep. The opposite can also happen. You may sleep much longer than usual.
-Changes in appetite. You may overeat or not feel hungry. Depression often leads to weight gain or weight loss.
If you feel like you may be depressed please seek professional help. There's help for you and ways to be treated. If you are having any thoughts of suicide, please call the suicide hotline at <span>1-800-273-8255</span>
