Breathing Atlas
Science & physiology
How slow breathing affects the body, what is supported, and what remains uncertain.
How slow breathing works
Slow breathing at around six breaths a minute can shift the body toward calm by engaging the vagus nerve and the parasympathetic response. Here is what that means.
HRV and breathing
Heart-rate variability rises and falls with the breath, and slow breathing near six breaths a minute tends to increase it. Here is what HRV is and what it means.
Why longer exhales calm
Lengthening the exhale relative to the inhale is linked with greater parasympathetic activity and a slower heart rate. Here is the plain-language explanation.