Have you ever noticed that your heartbeat is not as steady as a ticking clock? This is perfectly normal—and actually a good thing! The time between two heartbeats changes from moment to moment. This natural variation is called heart rate variability (HRV). A flexible heart rhythm shows that your body can adapt to stress, rest, and activity. In fact, a higher HRV is usually a sign of a healthier, more resilient body.
How HRV Reflects Your Nervous System
Your HRV is directly connected to your autonomic nervous system. This system controls many automatic functions of your body—like breathing, digestion, blood pressure, and heartbeat. It has two main parts:
- Sympathetic system: activates your body in stressful situations (“fight or flight”).
- Parasympathetic system: calms your body and supports recovery (“rest and digest”).
In a balanced state, these two systems work together smoothly, keeping your heart rhythm adaptable. But if this balance is disturbed, HRV can drop.
Signs of Autonomic Dysfunction
When the autonomic nervous system is out of balance—also called autonomic dystrophy or dysfunction—you may experience symptoms such as:
- Constant fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Dizziness when standing up
- Digestive issues
- Cold hands and feet
- Irregular heartbeat
- Feeling stressed or unable to recover properly
These symptoms are your body’s way of signaling that the nervous system may not be working at its best.
Why HRV Is Relevant for Your Health
Measuring HRV gives us important insights into how well your body can handle stress and how quickly it recovers. A lower HRV doesn’t necessarily mean something is seriously wrong right now—but it can be an early warning sign that your body is overloaded. That’s why HRV is increasingly used as a marker for prevention, therapy, and monitoring progress.
Interval Hypoxia-Hyperoxia Therapy (Cell Training)
One modern method to improve HRV and restore nervous system balance is interval hypoxia-hyperoxia therapy (Cell Training). During this therapy, you breathe air with alternating lower and higher oxygen levels in a safe, controlled way. Think of it as a gentle “workout” for your cells and nervous system. This training helps your body adapt better to stress, improves energy production in your cells, and can strengthen your circulation.
How Cell Training Can Help You
Many patients report that after several IHHT sessions, they feel more energetic, sleep better, and cope with stress more easily. Over time, HRV values often improve, reflecting a more flexible and resilient nervous system. In other words: by training your body with controlled oxygen intervals, you can regain balance and support long-term health.
Tip: A simple way to support your HRV every day is through breathing exercises, regular physical activity, and sufficient rest. Combined with therapies like Cell training, these lifestyle habits can make a big difference in your overall wellbeing.