Internationally renowned health and performance psychologist Dr. Leah Lagos explores the concept of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and its impact on mental and physical health. She is joined by Boston Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla, who discusses how he manages HRV and stress levels. Topics covered include HRV as a measure of control over stress, breathing techniques for stress control, and the importance of controlling physiological states for better decision-making.
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Quick takeaways
Heart rate variability (HRV) is a crucial biomarker for resilience and stress control, with higher HRV indicating better ability to handle stress.
Resonant frequency breathing can improve stress response by strengthening the baroreflex, leading to improved emotional control and decision-making.
Lifestyle factors, such as sleep quality, alcohol and caffeine intake, meal timing, and finding personal resonance in activities, can impact HRV and enhance focus and performance.
Deep dives
The Importance of HRV in Stress Management
HRV (heart rate variability) is a vital biomarker of resilience and control over the autonomic response to stress. The larger the HRV, the better the ability to handle stress before, during, and after. By understanding and optimizing HRV, individuals can enhance their performance and decision-making abilities.
The Role of Breath in Enhancing HRV
Resonant frequency breathing is a technique that strengthens the baroreflex, which controls heart rate and blood pressure. By practicing 15 minutes of breathing exercises twice a day for 10 weeks, individuals can develop an automated response to stress, shifting from a sympathetic to a parasympathetic state. This allows for better control over emotions, increased cognitive dexterity, and improved decision-making.
Maximizing HRV through Lifestyle Factors
Various lifestyle factors can impact HRV. These include optimizing sleep duration and quality, managing alcohol and caffeine consumption, timing meals, and finding personal resonance in activities like running or listening to specific songs. Understanding and aligning these factors can lead to increased HRV, improved focus, and better performance in various areas of life.
The Power of Oscillation in Managing Momentum and Energy
Oscillating between different levels of energy can spearhead momentum shifts in a game. By using breathing techniques and building awareness of one's body and mind, one can affect the momentum of the game. This skill allows for the ability to act outside of oneself or remain calm in aggressive moments, thereby influencing the energy and momentum of the team.
Breathing, Music, and Recovery for Optimal Performance
Breathing plays a crucial role in performance, especially in high-stress situations. It helps maintain a baseline and builds awareness, enabling peak performance decision-making. Additionally, music can impact heart rate and stress levels, so creating a playlist of songs that keep one in a flow state is beneficial. Recovery is also vital to maintaining optimal performance, particularly in professional sports where late games, bright lights, and irregular eating habits can disrupt sleep. Developing post-game routines, such as taking a hot shower, stretching, and following a diet that supports better sleep, aids in recovering the body and maintaining heart rate variability.
Internationally renowned health and performance psychologist Dr. Leah Lagos discusses the concept of Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and how you can improve your mental and physical health by using signals from your body to gain control over stress. She’s also joined on this episode by Head Coach of Boston Celtics, Joe Mazzulla, who has worked with Dr. Lagos on HRV training. He discusses how he uses techniques taught by Dr. Lagos to help him manage his HRV and lower stress levels during his first season as an NBA head coach in 2022.
Dr. Lagos has served as a Clinical and Performance Psychologist in private practice for the past 14 years. She consults a global hedge fund as well as elite performers in entertainment, business, and sport. Dr. Lagos is the author of Heart Breath Mind: Conquer Stress, Build Resilience, and Perform at Your Peak.
Mazzulla took over as the interim head coach of the Boston Celtics in September 2022 and was officially named the team’s head coach in February 2023. In his first full season on the job, he led the Celtics to the Eastern Conference semifinals and was named one of three finalists for the NBA Coach of the Year.
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