Listening To More Of You

I decided to go ahead with the entire process of meditation/ calming and anxiety. It got me thinking of the activities that I do to release anxiety. Walking around? Music? Talking to friends etc.

I did then place order for a heart rate and an oximeter sensor to understand how my body reacts to anxiety and the process of calming myself down. The reason I chose to detect my heart beat is sometimes quite literally I do feel like my heart in my mouth during anxiety attacks. I can hear the beats hard and fast in my ears. The regular beat of an average adult ranges from 60 to 100 bpm.

I decided to first check my heart beat on a ready example on the serial plotter. On seeing the fluctuations, I observed the regular data of me in a normal state of mind. I realise I was ranging somewhere between a 84-95 bpm.

I connected a graph of my bpm on the p5js serial sketch during my normal state of mind vs me when I felt like I was reaching my point of anxiety. When I have anxiety I do find myself walking at speed around my house, taking short breaths etc. This was reflected in my BPM rising to 99. However, I do think that is a little unrealistic. Maybe the monitor is not detecting properly?

The sensor surely did reflect a change in my BPM but it was rather shocking to see the change which is why I do doubt the numbers but nevertheless, who knew a metaphor/ exaggeration:

• Hearing the heartbeat in the ear

• Feel my heart beat on my chest

• Heart is in the mouth

I did some research on how much can the BPM be affected by anxiety. And I found that if you are experiencing fear, anxiety or stress, your heart rate will increase. People who can feel their heartbeat, or flutter, may be experiencing palpitations. This may be due to stress, anxiety, or medications.

This was an interesting finding about myself and almost drew into awareness to see something so internal reflect visually on a screen.