Heart rate variability biofeedback can help individuals achieve peak performance, improve emotional regulation, and reduce the effects of discrimination.
Heart rate variability biofeedback enables individuals to manage fear and phobias, control their physiological responses to stressors, and improve performance and well-being.
Deep dives
The power of heart rate variability biofeedback
Dr. Leah Lagos specializes in using heart rate variability biofeedback to help people achieve peak performance and manage stress. This process involves identifying an individual's resonant frequency, the rate of breathing that stimulates optimal heart rate oscillations. By training individuals to control their physiology through breathing techniques, they can amplify desired states and improve emotional regulation. This technique has been successful in assisting athletes, Wall Street traders, and individuals with post-concussion syndrome. It can even help reduce the effects of discrimination and increase pro-social behaviors. The benefits extend to improved decision-making, cognitive functioning, endurance, and cardiovascular health. Dr. Leah Lagos has written a book called 'Heart, Breath, Mind' to make this technique accessible to a wider audience.
Managing fear and phobias through heart rate variability biofeedback
Heart rate variability biofeedback has been successful in helping individuals manage fear and phobias. By training individuals to control their physiological responses to stressors, such as fear of flying, heart rate variability biofeedback enables the amplification of desired states and faster recovery from stressful situations. This technique has proven effective in addressing specific fears and reducing symptoms associated with phobias. Individuals can gain greater control over their emotional and physiological reactions, leading to improved performance and well-being.
Applying heart rate variability biofeedback to trauma and COVID-19 stress
Heart rate variability biofeedback has shown promise in treating trauma-related symptoms and helping individuals cope with the stress of the COVID-19 pandemic. By training individuals to regulate their physiology and enhance their stress response, heart rate variability biofeedback can help individuals manage anxiety, improve mood, and increase cognitive function. Understanding and controlling one's physiological responses can reduce the impact of trauma and mitigate the negative effects of chronic stress caused by the pandemic. Heart rate variability biofeedback offers a promising tool for healing and resilience in the face of trauma and challenging times.
Heart rate variability biofeedback versus meditation
While meditation is a valuable practice for mindfulness and relaxation, heart rate variability biofeedback offers distinct advantages. Unlike meditation, heart rate variability biofeedback focuses on amplifying desired physiological states, such as stress response control and optimal performance. It enables individuals to have precise control over their physiological responses, allowing them to amp up or calm down as needed. Additionally, heart rate variability biofeedback can generate larger heart rate oscillations that transfer to baseline heart rate variability over time. This technique offers a unique and science-backed approach to stress management, performance enhancement, and emotional regulation.
Can we hack our bodies and our minds? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice talk about how to optimize human performance with performance and sport psychologist Leah Lagos, PhD.
NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free here: https://www.startalkradio.net/show/hacking-the-head-the-heart-with-leah-lagos-phd/
Thanks to our Patrons Eugenio Barrera, David J Rechtman, Umran Koca, Roy Nyaboga, Chris Merritt, GetPLayeD, Jacob Montgomery for supporting us this week.
Photo Credit: ALol88, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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