Caring for Your Heart
by Institute of HeartMath

In the wake of recent national tragic events, we can find ourselves grappling with a lot of anxiety, depression, fear, worry or anger and suffering physical consequences. Over one decade of HeartMath® research shows that quieting the mind and sustaining a solid connection with the heart - locking into its power - reverses the physical effects of negative emotions and adds regenerative energy to your entire system.

A positive mental attitude creates stress relief, but only temporarily. By also engaging the heart with positive feelings, we can create stress relief that not only lasts, but also actually reverses the physical damage of stress.

When we consciously shift our feelings to appreciation, compassion or another positive, loving emotion, our heart rhythms immediately shift. This change in the heart creates a favorable cascade of physiological events that benefit the entire body. Blood pressure normalizes. Stress hormones drop. The immune system pumps up. Anti-aging hormones increase. We gain clarity, calmness, and control. And the effects are both immediate and long-lasting.

As a free service to you and those you love, HeartMath, http://www.heartmath.org is making publicly available one of our most powerful techniques, which is normally provided only through HeartMath books and audiotape programs, and as part of personal and organizational training workshops. Always, but especially during these extraordinary times, we urge you to practice this HeartMath technique, for peace of mind and heart.

This technique has been scientifically validated by research published in numerous peer-reviewed journals. A sampling of HeartMath research papers and reports is available at: http://www.heartmath.org/RP.html

HEART LOCK-IN®: Personal instruction and guidance from Doc Childre, founder and CEO, HeartMath

The Heart Lock-In technique is designed to help you amplify the power of your heart and regenerate yourself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. The longer you sustain your attention in the heart, the more beneficial it is to you.

Institute of HeartMath research has shown that the Heart Lock-In technique and breathing through your heart in times of crisis can help ease depression, anxiety or fear.

During times of crisis, emotional restabilization has a recovery curve, so no tools are going to dissipate all emotional stress overnight. While they begin to help immediately, understand it will take time for emotional stabilization and renewal. Have compassion and allowance for yourself while you're going through your own recovery. Self-compassion helps to reduce the amount of emotional drain and especially lessens nervous system overload.

You will see that an essential step in Heart Lock-In is to "send" appreciation or love. Decades of research shows that feeling these emotions creates a cascade of biochemical events that nourish the body and mind.

Practicing Heart Lock-In can help you save energy in the recovery process and shorten the time period of emotional restabilization. The traditional HeartMath Heart Lock-In technique (below) has been specially modified to help you during these times.

HEART LOCK-IN®: Five Simple Steps

1. Close your eyes and relax.

2. Shift your attention away from the mind to the area around your heart. If it helps you to focus, put your hand on your heart. Visualize your breath going in and out through the area of your heart and take very slow, deep breaths.

3. Now, find something that's easy for you to appreciate, like firemen, police, rescue or recovery workers, children, the many good things in your life. Send them genuine appreciation and love for five minutes as you breathe through your heart (or longer if convenient, for extended benefits). Really feel the emotion of appreciation, not just the thought.

4. As you catch your mind wandering, gently bring your focus back to the heart, and continue sending appreciation and love.

5. After you've finished doing the Heart Lock-In, try to sincerely sustain those feelings of appreciation and love as long as you can. This will act as a cushion against recurring stress or anxiety.

Use Heart Lock-In for emotional renewal as often as needed, based on your personal situation. Remember to have compassion for yourself through these times. And remember to serve and bond with others whenever you can, because that's proven to be one of the highest forms of emotional restoration and a regenerator of hope.
-- Doc Childre

The copyrighted technique from IHM's trademarked programs is being made available for use by individuals, families, churches and other organizations to assist them as a public service. No license is granted to use these techniques in a commercial program or product. IHM's programs are delivered by licensed certified trainers.

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These articles and opinions of the authors do not constitute the endorsement of InnerMidst Magazine nor its publisher, CirclePoint or any of its staff. The articles are solely the opinions of the authors.These writings are not tools to be substituted for ongoing assistance from a qualified person who is versed in trauma. Please seek help from your local area for professional assistance in letting go of traumas. We also encourage you to do research and expand your knowledge. Be a responsible consumer and seek a variety of sources to meet your needs and to empower yourself. You understand that what is provided is for educational and philosophical purposes. You are soley responsible for your choices, including seeking medical and other healing care.

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