How to Control Stress in Real-Time | Huberman Lab Quantal Clip
How Can Breathing Control Stress?
The Connection Between Breathing and Heart Rate
- An ability to control stress levels in real-time is powerful, achievable through understanding physiology and neuroscience.
- Inhaling causes the diaphragm to move down, increasing space in the thoracic cavity, which makes the heart slightly larger. This results in a slower blood flow rate due to increased volume.
- The sinoatrial node in the heart sends signals to the brain when inhaling, prompting an increase in heart rate for alertness.
- Conversely, exhaling moves the diaphragm up, reducing space and making the heart smaller. This leads to quicker blood flow and signals from the sinoatrial node that slow down the heart rate.