The resting heart rate represents the minimum number of heart beats needed to sustain the body. The resting heart rate should be taken first thing in the morning upon waking and before getting out of bed. Attempt to do this on a day when you are not wakened by a noisey alarm that gets your adrenaline pumping. Your blood levels of adrenaline, caffeine, and other substances are lowest first thing in the morning and represent the ideal time to take the count. Use the index and middle finger to find the pulse.
Most people find their pulse in the side of the neck or at the wrist.
If you are locating it in the side of your neck, do not press too hard or you could block blood flow to one side of the brain. Tilt your head back slightly and place your fingers in the groove that is to the side and slightly above the Adam's apple. If you are trying to locate the pulse in your wrist, tilt the hand back slightly and place your fingers on the thumb side of your wrist, not in the middle. Count the beats that you feel The first count begins with zero. Continue counting for one full minute.