A topic that frequently comes up in my office involves ways that a patient can actively practice mind-body control between sessions of neurofeedback.

The EZ-Air Plus program helps pace breathing to facilitate slow, calm breathing. This, in turn, helps to calm the brain and body. It is most useful for those who have breathing issues like asthma and COPD, but helps anyone who tenses up and begins to breath in a shallow fashion when they are stressed. For further information and a free trial: http://bfe.org/new/try-our-breath-pacer-ez-air-plus/.

The Stress Thermometer teaches you to warm your hands by giving you temperature information from your fingers. This is particularly helpful in people with headache issues, Raynaud’s Syndrome, and temperature regulation issues (those who feel cold more often that not and do not have thyroid regulation problems). This link, http://bio-medical.com/products/stress-thermometer-sc911.html, gives more information.

Lastly, the emWave device trains heart rate variability. The healthiest hearts have a rhythm that varies with breathing in and out. Stress and cardiovascular stiffening decrease this variability. The emWave can decrease stress and increase feelings of well-being and relaxation. I have found it to be a particularly good way to calm the body and mind to get to sleep. This product is well supported by its manufacturer with training videos and instructions at http://www.heartmath.com/emwave-technology/.

Just about any exercise that increases body-mind awareness is potentially beneficial. Yoga and meditative techniques are good examples. Seeking out calm and pleasant surroundings and learning to appreciate them is a desirable goal.