|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As I started to write this article a few words from a song kept running through my head "all you need is love..." This month we will be bombarded with ads for cards and gifts and urgings to show others that we love them. Many religions and traditions exhort us to "love one another," to care about others and to appreciate the gifts of life. In both advertising and tradition the heart is the symbol of love.
Recent scientific discoveries have found that the heart is actually involved in emotional processing. Messages are sent both ways between brain and heart. The new science of called Neurocardiology has shown that the heart is actually a sensory organ and a sophisticated encoding and processing center. The heart can learn, remember and even make decisions independent of the brain.
The emotional processing of the heart operates much more quickly than the linear reasoning process of the mind. This emotional processing can bias or color the cognitive processes. Stress caused by unmanaged emotions can affect the entire body.
The research conducted at the Institute of HeartMath has consistently demonstrated that positive emotions such as love and appreciation are the key to optimal functioning. The use of heart rate variability (HRV) measurement equipment provides information on the beat-to-beat changes in heart rate. HRV is very sensitive to changes in emotional state. When people think angry, frustrated, or anxious thoughts an erratic and disordered pattern is shown.
When people experience positive emotions like appreciation, love or compassion a much more ordered or coherent pattern is displayed. Obviously it is much healthier for the heart and body to have a coherent heart rate. Fortunately there are easy to learn techniques that can be put into use during stressful times that can help change our habitual responses to stress.
Simply remembering to feel appreciation for short periods of time every day can be a first step. The holidays shouldn't be the only time we remember to express our love for others. Tapping into that "loving feeling" can be good for our hearts as well as for our relationships.
Lorna Minewiser, Ph.D has been helping people reduce their stress for more than 15 years. She offers individual and group coaching, workshops, CDs, e-books and Stress Reduction and Relaxation kits. She is available for presentations on the power of beliefs and on Stress Reduction. For more information you can reach her at http://www.thestressreductioncoach.com
How much water do you drink every day? The majority... Read More
Naturopathy is a holistic therapy that relies on natural remedies.... Read More
Don't accept that prescription just yet. In most cases it's... Read More
Clicking a mouse isn't exactly vigorous exercise, so I thought... Read More
Do you ever listen to other people's conversations? I mean... Read More
Your subconscious has influence over 7 different factors that could... Read More
We've all heard, haven't we, that a 40-year-old was considered... Read More
Traditional Chinese Medicine, over 2000 years old, is an ancient... Read More
When you are in the season of the mosquito, it... Read More
About 7 years ago, I decided that my budget could... Read More
Aging occurs due to the growth of the tissues and... Read More
Migraine headaches must be one of the great equalizers that... Read More
Everyone jokes about constipation, but it's no joke if you're... Read More
You've probably tried everything you can think of to ease... Read More
When I was 12, one of my best friends was... Read More
It was customary in Britain and Europe on St John's... Read More
Post-delivery, the whole of immune system is restored to normalcy... Read More
Every symptom has a certain way of being with which... Read More
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) has been used for thousands of... Read More
Artemis - Goddess of the herbalist - gives her name... Read More
Depression and mood disorders are very prevalent mental health issues... Read More
It is a sad fact that most people pay little... Read More
Children can develop a stutter at an early age and... Read More
For many years high blood pressure has been defined based... Read More
It is important to be aware of the great archetypal... Read More
We've all heard, haven't we, that a 40-year-old was considered... Read More
Ten Simple Lifestyle Changes You Can Make to Reduce Your... Read More
Visualization statements represent the specific language that your subconscious wants... Read More
Your subconscious has influence over 7 different factors that could... Read More
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a condition that is usually... Read More
We all know the nasty sensation of coming down with... Read More
Do you want to stop smoking badly enough to try?... Read More
Smell is a specialised chemical sense. It is interesting to... Read More
Can Color Therapy Be Used With Other Healing Techniques?Yes, color... Read More
Ganoderma, a rare variety of Mushroom credited with the highest... Read More
Well, flu season is coming upon us quickly, and most... Read More
Chemical reactions move pain signals along a pathway from your... Read More
Fungal infection of the nails is the one of the... Read More
You probably are very familiar with the benefits you get... Read More
Most people find it difficult to believe that a tiny... Read More
Getting quality sleep has, for many, become an elusive goal... Read More
We like to think of our homes as being a... Read More
This article first appeared in The Sept. 2004 issue of... Read More
Hands up all those who can't get through the day... Read More
The term 'alternative medicine' that is so commonly used today... Read More
Acupuncture treatment for arthritis and joint pain has been with... Read More
"If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere"... Read More
Reflexology is something I've used and loved since I was... Read More
Ask and you shall receive!! Persuaded by popular demand, I... Read More
Dr. Bernie Siegel, author of "Love, Medicine and Miracles" was... Read More
Alternative Medicine |