(NaturalNews) Living life by the wisdom of the heart not only feels good, but also sustains and improves health. Numerous studies have proven that positive inner emotional states create increased harmony and balance to the nervous system. These positive states help to reduce stress on the heart and bodily organs which further promotes overall wellness.
The HeartMath Institute in Boulder Creek, California is the leading non-profit research center for studying the science of the heart and how it affects health and well-being. The center discovered what it calls heart rhythm coherence which is triggered by positive emotions such as love. Rhythm coherence has important implications for not only emotional health but physical well being. The researchers found that when the heart has a steady, balanced, and smooth rhythm, blood pressure is lowered and the bodily systems work efficiently. When the heart rhythm is erratic and stressed, numerous health consequences of the nervous, cardiovascular, hormonal and immune systems occur.
As explained by the HeartMath Institute:
"Scientific research now tells us plainly that anger, anxiety and worry significantly increase the risk of heart disease, including sudden cardiac death. Landmark long-term studies conducted by Dr. Hans Eysenck and colleagues at the University of London have shown that chronic unmanaged emotional stress is as much as six times more predictive of cancer and heart disease than cigarette smoking, cholesterol level or blood pressure, and much more responsive to intervention."
The institute has developed several tools to help individuals train and develop their positive emotional systems while creating
health promoting coherence. The freeze-frame technique helps individuals to detach from negative emotions in the moment; it brings awareness to the heart while generating genuine positive feeling such as love, appreciation, or compassion. According to the HeartMath Institute, "This process prevents or reverses the body's normal destructive
stress response, and changes the bodily feedback sent to the brain, thus arresting physiological and psychological wear and tear." Another technique is referred to as the heart-lock; this empowers people to 'lock-in' positive emotions of the
heart to boost energy, amplify clarity along with peace, and encourage physiology to maintain longer periods of coherent harmony. A third method is called the cut-thru which assists individuals in shifting their habitual stress response in the moment from negative to neutral or even positive.
Research at the University of Berlin also confirmed that a loving, joyful orientation stimulates health and well-being. In a pilot study, loving-kindness meditation was shown to reduce chronic pain, psychological distress, and anger. According to the study:
"Positive emotions, compassion and happiness help us to feel better, particularly in stress, and further they improve bodily functions: Love, compassion and
joy make our immune system function better and help to battle diseases."
As stress continues to escalate in modern life while negatively affecting health, a heart-centered orientation is the key to maintaining zest, balance, and flourishing vitality.
Sources for this article:
"Science of The Heart: Exploring the Role of the Heart in Human Performance", HeartMath Institute. Retrieved on January 25, 2010 from,
http://www.heartmath.org/research/science-of-the-heart/emoti11onal-ba..."Love for No Reason", Marci Shimoff, 2010, Simon & Schuster, Inc. New York
"Love Promotes Health", Charity-University Medicine Berlin, Institute for General Practice and Family Medicine, Neuroendocrinology Letters No.3 June Vol.26, 2005. Retrieved on January 28, 2010 from,
http://www.tlu.ee/files/arts/8665/Love%206706ff426a63c57d3dbb3690d2d0...About the author
Carolanne enthusiastically believes if we want to see change in the world, we need to be the change. As a nutritionist, natural foods chef, and wellness coach, Carolanne has encouraged others to embrace a healthy lifestyle of organic living, gratefulness, and joyful orientation for over 13 years. Through her website
www.Thrive-Living.com she looks forward to connecting with other like-minded people from around the world who share a similar vision.
Have comments on this article? Post them here:
people have commented on this article.
Email this article to a friend
Now Available from 
