The Power of Breathwork on the Mystic Nerd Squad Podcast

Building awareness around how our breath functions can have a profound impact on our health and well-being. As we deepen our understanding of these processes, we gain the tools to create lasting change in how we manage stress, energy, and resilience in everyday life. 

I sat down with speaker, author, and occupational therapist Kelly Myerson on her Mystic Nerd Squad Podcast to discuss the science behind the simple, yet powerful tools my clients use daily that get results. 

Manipulating CO2

When we slow down our breath, we are manipulating CO2 – something athletes do! While CO2 gets a bad rap, it’s actually what cues our body to breathe. It acts as a vasodilator, widening blood vessels to increase blood flow and regulate blood pressure, and as a bronchial dilator, helping to open the airways for easier breathing.

Why does CO2 tolerance matter? 

CO2 tolerance means the body is better prepared to handle life’s stresses. It’s also shown to reduce anxiety and prevent hyperventilation by promoting better breath control. As we train our body through controlled breathing, we build up our tolerance to handle CO2. I’ve seen my clients double their CO2 tolerance after 4 weeks of breath coaching for health! Listen to a snippet of our conversation to learn more.

About Kelly Myerson 

Kelly Myerson is an occupational therapist, author, podcaster, and radical self-care enthusiast who helps people on their wellness journey. She and I both contributed to “Hot Mess to Hot Mom: Transformational Tools for Thriving after Childbirth and Beyond”— a book that provides a funny, down-to-earth, and practical guide for everything moms need to know after giving birth and beyond. Order your copy to get tips and tools that you can use every day.