Breathing retraining improves oxygen delivery to the working body and facilitates activation of the parasympathetic nervous system (aka. Rest & Digest system) as well as helping to improve weight loss goals.  This branch of the nervous system should be active 95% of the time versus the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) which is our “flight or fight” mode. The SNS increases levels of cortisol, stress, disrupts sleep and basically puts us in a state of elevated heart and respiratory rates to ready ourselves for an impending threat.  Unfortunately, modern day threats are more likely to involve being cut off by an irresponsible driver than being stalked by a predatory animal.  Our lives are not in danger as they were tens of thousands of years ago and our need for the SNS is very minimal, but our modern day bodies do not know the difference and we find ourselves too often in this state. The added overexertion of our heart and lungs over many years can lead to heart disease and psychological disorders. This is where Dr. Lenore Morrissey, an Oxygen Advantage Provider, can assist by working with you on improving and retraining your breathing habits.

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     Breathing retraining and improved breathing habits lead to better sleep and increased sleep efficiency.  In short, quality sleep improves our ability to “rest and digest” and by subsequent improves efficiency of all of our vital organs leading to a healthier life.  Adding simple and time effective exercises into your life can maximize your ability to maintain a state of rest, digest, and recovery.  Dr. Lenore Morrissey and the resources found on the myodoc.com will serve as a guide on improving your breathing habits and the overall quality of life. 

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Dr. Lenore Morrissey was part of a collaborative team of clinicians that developed the FAirEST (Functional Airway Evaluation) tool. For more information on FAirEST, please visit fairest.org.  

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Works Cited

 

1. Greenman PS, Viau P, Morin F, et al. Of Sound Heart and Mind: A Scoping Review of Risk and Protective Factors for Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, and Posttraumatic Stress in People With Heart Disease. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2018;33(5):E16-E28. doi:10.1097/JCN.0000000000000508

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2. Chauvet-Gelinier JC, Bonin B. Stress, anxiety and depression in heart disease patients: A major challenge for cardiac rehabilitation. Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2017;60(1):6-12. doi:10.1016/j.rehab.2016.09.002)

 

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