The Importance of Heart Rate Variability at Saving Your Brain
At Saving Your Brain, we focus on cutting-edge tools that support brain health and improve overall well-being. One such tool is Heart Rate Variability (HRV), which plays a vital role in understanding how our body responds to stress and relaxation. HRV is an essential marker for assessing the balance between our sympathetic (fight or flight) and parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous systems.
In this insightful video, Dr. Kelly Miller, NMD, explains how HRV is used as both an assessment tool and a biofeedback method to teach breathing techniques that help regulate the nervous system.
What Is Heart Rate Variability?
HRV measures the variation in time between each heartbeat, providing a window into how well the nervous system responds to stress. A higher HRV indicates a healthy balance between stress and relaxation, while a lower HRV suggests challenges in coping with stress. At Saving Your Brain, a score of 60 or above is ideal, as it shows that the body can effectively handle stress and recover.
The Power of Breath
One of the quickest ways to improve HRV is through conscious breathing. When we breathe in, our sympathetic nervous system activates, preparing the body to respond to potential threats. However, when we exhale slowly, the parasympathetic system takes over, promoting relaxation and recovery. By controlling our breath, we can immediately influence our nervous system, making it a powerful tool for stress management.
Dr. Miller recommends a simple breathing technique:
Breathe in through the nose for a count of four.
Exhale slowly through the mouth for a count of eight.
This method encourages deeper, slower breathing, activating the parasympathetic nervous system and helping to “drain the tank” of stress.
Why HRV Matters
Heart Rate Variability doesn’t just provide insight into stress levels; it also demonstrates brainwave activity and energy utilization. By monitoring HRV, we can see how well the body responds to therapies and treatments at Saving Your Brain. When patients reach an HRV score of 60 or above, we know they will likely have a positive response to therapies aimed at improving brain health and function.
Watch the video with Dr. Kelly Miller to learn more about the incredible benefits of HRV and how breathing techniques can make a difference in your nervous system’s health.
Take control of your brain health today—starting with your breath!
