Cardiac coherence and autonomic regulation may reduce anxiety

Functional cardiac coherence and autonomic regulation may assist the body in reducing persistent states of alert and restoring psychophysiological flexibility. Anxiety often manifests physically through increased heart rate, shallow breathing, muscle tension, and gastrointestinal discomfort, signaling the involvement of the autonomic nervous system.

Heart rate variability (HRV) refers to the small variations in the intervals between heartbeats. During slow, rhythmic breathing, the heart rate tends to increase during inhalation and decrease during exhalation, which can favor parasympathetic mechanisms and temporarily expand HRV. Research into slow breathing and HRV biofeedback suggests potential benefits for reducing stress and anxiety symptoms by helping the body alternate between activation and recovery.