Which type of breathing has been shown to positively affect the parasympathetic system?

Resonance frequency breathing is considered effective in positively influencing the parasympathetic nervous system due to its specific rhythm and rate that promote relaxation and a state of calmness. This type of breathing typically involves inhaling and exhaling at a rate that corresponds with an individual's optimal physiological state, often around five to seven breaths per minute for many people.

Engaging in resonance frequency breathing encourages an increase in heart rate variability and stimulates the vagus nerve, which connects the brain to the heart and other organs, thereby enhancing parasympathetic activity. This results in lower heart rates and reduced blood pressure, leading to a relaxation response that opposes the body's stress response managed by the sympathetic nervous system.

Other methods mentioned, like shallow breathing and controlled hyperventilation, do not facilitate the same positive outcomes for the parasympathetic nervous system. Shallow breathing can activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased anxiety and stress. Controlled hyperventilation may create a state of heightened arousal and potentially induce distress rather than relaxation. Diaphragmatic exhalation alone, though beneficial, does not encompass the full rhythmic nature of resonance frequency breathing that maximizes its effects on the parasympathetic response.