Delta measurement
We calculate the difference between your current heart rate and your resting heart rate (derived from your sleep data).
A biofeedback driving experience
slowfaster is a minimalist Apple Watch experience where your inner state shapes the world around you. There are no controls. No high scores. No competition. The game doesn't respond to your actions, it responds to you.
Apple Watch · watchOS
"Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself."
Leo Tolstoy
At slowfaster, we believe that the environment of action is shaped from within. Change your internal state, and the world you move through changes with you.
How it works
Your car drives automatically through an endless procedurally generated road. The twist? The road's difficulty is controlled by your heart rate delta, the difference between your current heart rate and your personal resting rate.
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Elevated state
When your heart rate is elevated, the road becomes winding with tight curves and frequent direction changes.
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Calm state
As you approach your resting rate, the road straightens out. Speed feels faster. Flow emerges.
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No explicit goal
There's no score, no game over, no finish line. The reward is the state itself.
Who it's for
Commuters
Quick sessions during your commute to reset between contexts.
Pre-meeting calm
30 seconds before an important call to shift into a centered state.
Non-meditators
For those who find traditional meditation apps frustrating or ineffective.
Micro-breaks
10–60 second sessions that fit into the gaps of a busy day.
The science behind it
slowfaster is built on decades of research in heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback, a scientifically validated approach for stress reduction and autonomic regulation.
Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback: How and Why It Works
Frontiers in Psychology, 2014
This foundational review explains the science behind HRV biofeedback. It discusses how slow, paced breathing aligns with physiological rhythms (like baroreflex and vagal pathways) to strengthen autonomic regulation and promote resilience to stress.
Read full text →HRV Biofeedback Based on Slow-Paced Breathing
Frontiers in Psychology, 2019
This study investigated HRV biofeedback delivered with slow-paced breathing in a virtual nature context. Participants reported greater relaxation, better focus, and reduced mind wandering, supporting the idea that biofeedback combined with calming stimuli can enhance present-moment awareness.
Read full text →Short-Term Effects of Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 2024
This article examines the immediate effects of a single session of HRV biofeedback. It highlights links between HRV and cognitive processes like focus and emotional regulation, suggesting even short periods of paced breathing and feedback can change physiology and perception.
Read full text →Physical Activity, Mindfulness, or HRV Biofeedback for Stress Reduction
Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 2015
In this randomized controlled trial, HRV biofeedback, mindfulness meditation, and physical activity were compared for stress reduction. All interventions lowered stress and improved well-being, showing HRV biofeedback is an effective, accessible stress-reduction tool.
Read full text →Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback and Remote Short Sessions
JMIR Mental Health, 2024
This systematic overview collects studies showing that brief remote HRV biofeedback sessions can influence autonomic function and stress responses, particularly with wearable devices. It highlights that even short feedback sessions can be promising.
Read full text →Unlike traditional biofeedback apps that display charts and numbers, slowfaster translates your physiological state into an intuitive visual metaphor. You don't need to understand the science, you just need to feel the road straighten.
What it's not
Not a classical meditation app
No guided breathing. No instructors. No spiritual framing.
Not a racing game
No leaderboards. No competition. No skill-based progression.
Not a fitness tracker
No calories. No workout logs. No health metrics dashboard.
Not a breathing exercise
No timers. No breath counting. No active participation required.
slowfaster is a state-driven interactive experience.
Coming soon to Apple Watch
slowfaster is currently in development. Built with SwiftUI, HealthKit, and real-time heart rate monitoring for watchOS.
watchOS 10+