HRV Q&A #4: Busting HRV Misconceptions

Hanu HRV

Jay is back to answer more great questions from our loyal listeners!

In this episode, Jay discusses...

-We are in full swing mode taking pre-orders for the Hanu Health wearable device; an all day stress monitoring and coaching tool...03:00

• 40% discount
• $29 down now, fully refundable
• $150 value gift box if you are one of the first 1,000 to pre-order
• Entered to win a one hour one-on-one coaching with Ben Greenfield from our advisory team and Ben Greenfield Fitness fame
• Pre-order here!

-Conscious volition can cause HRV to go down...07:45

-The Hanu Health blog, the Wave, has tons of great content. Check it out here.

Listener Q&A:

Mitch asks: I've always had a low HRV and I've heard it can indicate that I'm at risk for a heart attack. What can I do in order to help with this?...10:15

In the answer, Jay discusses:

• I want to dispel this notion that someone has a "low HRV," because this is all very relative.
• HRV for the most part is not a normative, comparative piece of biometric data.
• Low and high HRV only has meaning in relationship to your own individual base line HRV.
• Every person's normative range for HRV varies.
• HRV is just a metric among other metrics to determine heart health.
• HRV is not a good indicator for risk for heart attack alone. There are many other great metrics to look at for that purpose.
• To help, be sure you understand what HRV is used for and what it is not used for.
• HRV is a mechanism for autonomic control, so you can learn to use it well for self-regulation.
• Normal is better in the field of HRV

Cindy asks: I have been working on trying to be more active with breathwork and HRV training. I think Hanu will be a huge source of encouragement and accountability for me. (We love to hear that Cindy!) Where is a good place to start in this part of my journey?...20:10

In the answer, Jay discusses:

• Where do we start in creating habits? James Clear wrote a book called, "Atomic Habits," and a key concept is to act like who you want to become.
• Small changes, even changing your language, can make large impacts and really help with habit formation.
• Research is clear that the greatest benefit of HRV work comes from 25 minutes twice a day. This is difficult to jump into right away.
• Begin with identity language such as, "I am someone who works on my stress resilience." "I am a breathwork practitioner." "I am an HRV biofeedback practitioner."
• Start small. It can be 30 seconds to a minute each day to start.
• Hanu will definitely be a great help for encouragement and accountability. As you get the feedback, work on extended your time frames on your new habits and go from there.
• Jay has formed a habit during his commute using the Hanu Health app and breathwork with the Relaxator.

Paul asks: What do you think about devices that claim to raise your HRV? Is that possible?...28:50

In the answer, Jay discusses:

• He is board certified in this area, and his approach is, "Prove it."
• Show me the data.
• Hanu is built on HRV biofeedback research that has been established for decades.
• The underlying function of HRV biofeedback is to engage the parasympathetic nervous system, and there are researched benefits for many health concerns.
• Be wary and skeptical if the claims say your HRV will increase passively. It is likely click bait.

That's a wrap!

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