Chronic Illness Q&A with Dr. B.

Dr. Larry Berkelhammer

The purpose of this blog and the entire website is to provide evidence-based information on how to live a vibrant, meaningful life while living with chronic health challenges or other life challenges.

Every Tuesday I post a new, very brief video from my presentations or interviews. Every Friday this Q&A column appears.

THIS WEEK’S QUESTION: (continuation of answer to question about breathing

ANSWER: It has been known for a long time that respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) breathing quiets sympathetic drive, normalizes heart rate as well as heart rhythms, and is a very significant determinant of health. It is also known to improve brain function. The association with improved brain function could simply be due to increased oxygenation and perfusion, but most likely it is also related to the balancing of numerous biological rhythms catalyzed by the breathing practice.

Utilizing biofeedback instrumentation, it is easy to learn to maximize RSA breathing and find the ideal breathing rate for you, which is unique to each individual; this is referred to as resonant frequency. It is most often approximately six breaths per minute.

This website is offered as a free public service, supplying information that has been found helpful to certain people living with chronic health challenges or issues related to wellbeing. No treatment is offered on this website. The advice is general, and may or may not apply to your individual situation, and is not a substitute for psychotherapy or medical treatment.
What questions do you have about living a life of mindfulness-based mastery or about the relationship between the mind and health or wellbeing?
Just scroll down and type your question in the comment box below. An answer to your specific question may not appear in this column. The reason for that is I wait until I get a certain number of related questions, then I pick one that covers them all and I answer that one. People attending my presentations asked most of the questions appearing in this column, and I repeat them here so you may benefit.