HeartMath meditation is a heart-focused breathing meditation that can help you quickly change from feeling stressed to feeling calm.
Science-based and used worldwide, HeartMath meditation uses breathing techniques to bring about coherence — the alignment of your physical, mental and emotional systems to work in sync. In addition to feeling its benefits, you can see them: A monitor of your heart rate variability shows how emotional states affect your nervous system.
HeartMath aims to increase coherence and bring optimal functioning within the body while decreasing the effects of stress and negative emotions. It changes your response to stress from a fight or flight response to rest, restoration and increased positive emotions.
During times of stress, the heart rate variability pattern is erratic, causing incoherence in body processes and psychological and physical issues because mind and body are out of sync. Learning techniques to gain coherence and sustain positive emotions — even in times of stress — not only benefits the entire body, but affects how we perceive stressors in our life, how we think and how we feel. Studies have shown that regular use of HeartMath decreases anxiety, fatigue and depression and improves sleep and focus.
Research has found there is a greater relationship than previously thought between the heart and the brain. By thinking of a more positive emotion or experience while doing deep, slow breathing into your heart space, you can actually change your mood or emotional response.
Quick coherence breathing is easy and effective. It can be done first thing in the morning, at the end of the day or any time you feel unwanted negative emotions. No matter what life brings, the power of your heart and your breath can increase your resilience to achieve greater overall wellness.
