Breathwork vagus nerve
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Breathwork can significantly influence the vagus nerve, primarily affecting heart rate and stress levels. The vagus nerve is closely tied to the parasympathetic nervous system, supporting functions like slowing the heart rate through mechanisms like the diaphragm's movement during breathing. When you inhale, your diaphragm moves down, creating more space in the thoracic cavity, leading to a temporary increase in heart rate. Conversely, exhaling moves the diaphragm up, decreasing heart cavity space and slowing the heart rate due to increased blood flow speed. This process is known as respiratory sinus arrhythmia, which can be consciously trained to improve vagal tone and manage stress 1.
Additionally, the vagus nerve's stimulation through breathwork techniques can engage these pathways, enhancing heart rate variability and emotional regulation. Such practices can modulate stress and emotional responses, even aiding in situations of grief by leveraging the calming effects of controlled exhalation 2. Moreover, this relationship between breathing and the vagus nerve underscores the role of breathwork in promoting both physical and mental well-being 3.
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