Increasing awareness of and preventing heart disease is the aim of February’s National Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease. The efforts you can make to lower your risk of developing heart disease are likely familiar.
Abiding by these heart healthy suggestions is wise in order to maintain the function of this magnificent fist-sized pump inside our chests. But there’s more I’d like to share. Research is emerging that demonstrates the heart’s complexity. That it possesses a level of intelligence. That is plays a greater role in our mental, emotional and physical processes than previously known. Much of this research is documented at HeartMath.org. In fact, they’ve just compiled their findings into a new book which can be downloaded at: https://www.heartmath.org/research/science-of-the-heart/. I’d like to share three of these findings.
1. The Heart Brain: Most of us think of the brain as being the center of intelligence and the organ that controls the rest of the body. We now know the heart has its own nervous system, the “heart brain.” And get this, the heart sends more signals to the brain than the brain sends to the heart. These signals have to do with decision making, perception, creativity, emotional processing and social awareness.
The heart to brain communication can be enhanced when we create “heart coherence.” Manipulating your breathing pattern allows the heart’s rhythms to sync with the respiratory pattern. It looks like this on my biofeedback equipment.
This is the first step to creating heart coherence and is demonstrated in a YouTube video I've shared previously. Click here and breathe along! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EapnBw0iJ_A&feature=youtu.be
2. The Heart’s Hormones: The heart also communicates with the brain and the body by producing hormones. One of these hormones is atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), sometimes called the “balance hormone.” Others are neurotransmitters which help regulate the autonomic nervous system and oxytocin, the “love” or social bonding hormone.
3. The Energetic Heart: The heart generates an electromagnetic field that extends several feet from the body in several directions. This electromagnetic energy can be transferred to another person through touch or close proximity (research suggests a distance of 3 feet). To family, friends and to those strangers you may encounter along the way. In fact, heartmath data shows it is possible for the magnetic signals radiated by the heart to influence the brain rhythms of another. Breathe and send some heartfelt LOVE to everyone who crosses your path today!
You might ask, what if another individual’s negative energy rubs off on me? Never fear. Creating heart coherence can make you less vulnerable, helping you to avoid getting caught up in any negativity emanating from others.
- Limiting sodium, red meat, unhealthy fats and sugar, including sugar sweetened beverages.
- Maintaining a healthy weight and BMI.
- Engaging in aerobic physical activity.
- Avoiding smoking, second-hand smoke and excessive alcohol consumption.
- Maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Managing your stress response.
Abiding by these heart healthy suggestions is wise in order to maintain the function of this magnificent fist-sized pump inside our chests. But there’s more I’d like to share. Research is emerging that demonstrates the heart’s complexity. That it possesses a level of intelligence. That is plays a greater role in our mental, emotional and physical processes than previously known. Much of this research is documented at HeartMath.org. In fact, they’ve just compiled their findings into a new book which can be downloaded at: https://www.heartmath.org/research/science-of-the-heart/. I’d like to share three of these findings.
1. The Heart Brain: Most of us think of the brain as being the center of intelligence and the organ that controls the rest of the body. We now know the heart has its own nervous system, the “heart brain.” And get this, the heart sends more signals to the brain than the brain sends to the heart. These signals have to do with decision making, perception, creativity, emotional processing and social awareness.
The heart to brain communication can be enhanced when we create “heart coherence.” Manipulating your breathing pattern allows the heart’s rhythms to sync with the respiratory pattern. It looks like this on my biofeedback equipment.
This is the first step to creating heart coherence and is demonstrated in a YouTube video I've shared previously. Click here and breathe along! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EapnBw0iJ_A&feature=youtu.be
2. The Heart’s Hormones: The heart also communicates with the brain and the body by producing hormones. One of these hormones is atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), sometimes called the “balance hormone.” Others are neurotransmitters which help regulate the autonomic nervous system and oxytocin, the “love” or social bonding hormone.
3. The Energetic Heart: The heart generates an electromagnetic field that extends several feet from the body in several directions. This electromagnetic energy can be transferred to another person through touch or close proximity (research suggests a distance of 3 feet). To family, friends and to those strangers you may encounter along the way. In fact, heartmath data shows it is possible for the magnetic signals radiated by the heart to influence the brain rhythms of another. Breathe and send some heartfelt LOVE to everyone who crosses your path today!
You might ask, what if another individual’s negative energy rubs off on me? Never fear. Creating heart coherence can make you less vulnerable, helping you to avoid getting caught up in any negativity emanating from others.
Listen to the wind, it talks.
Listen to the silence, it speaks.
Listen to your heart, it knows.
Native American Proverb
Listen to the silence, it speaks.
Listen to your heart, it knows.
Native American Proverb
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