Summary: This chapter explores the link between heart rate variability (HRV) and social relationships, highlighting HRV's role in regulating physiological responses to social interactions. HRV is associated with feelings of safety and prosocial motives, such as compassion, and is influenced by the vagus nerve and prefrontal cortex. A neurovisceral integration perspective suggests that HRV is a biomarker of adaptability and can be improved through specific practices. The chapter reviews body-based practices, including breathing, yoga, and nutrition, that can increase HRV and promote clinical change in compassion-focused therapy.
Citation and Link: Petrocchi, N., Di Bello, M., Cheli, S., & Ottaviani, C. (2022). Compassion focused therapy and the body: How physiological underpinnings of prosociality inform clinical practice. In P. Gilbert & G. Simos (Eds.), Compassion focused therapy: Clinical practice and applications (Ch. 10). Routledge2. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003035879-12/compassion-focused-therapy-body-nicola-petrocchi-maria-di-bello-simone-cheli-cristina-ottaviani