Love, Appreciation, and the Heart


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.


More Resources

Stuttering Treatment, Stammering Treatment
There are many different treatments for people who stutter/stammer. In this article I will describe some of the experiences and types of stuttering or stammering therapy people experiment with.
Acupressure
Developed in Asia over 5,000 years ago, acupressure is an ancient healing therapy that utilizes fingers to depress key locations on the skin's surface to prompt healing withing the body. Similar to acupuncture, acupressure uses the same reference points on the body that release muscular stress; thus encouraging better blood circulation.
10 Simple Ways to Naturally Increase Your Energy
1. Eat protein at every meal: One of the most important ways to keep your blood sugar balanced and energy levels high is to include protein at every meal, breakfast and snacks included.
Freedom Is Found In Detachment
I am looking for freedom in my life. And I know the only way I can find it is through detachment.
Constipation: A Serious Health Concern
How often do you go to the bathroom and have a bowel movement?I realize that this question may seem odd, but it the most basic sign of good digestive health. Over 95% of health problems start in the digestive system and constipation is certainly a culprit in many of these maladies.
What Organic Really Means in 2005
The term "organic" is used everywhere. What exactly does that mean?"Organic" refers to the methods by which foods, cottons, woolens, etc.
Empowering Ourselves with the New Energy Dynamic
The chakras are an important part of our energy anatomy. Ideally we would like to feel that all of the chakras in our body are fully functioning.
Arthritis Pain: Why Visualizations May Be Able to Provide Relief
Over 100 different types of arthritis exist, but by far the most common are the "osteo" and the "rheumatoid" varieties. Both may be subject to influence by your subconscious through the use of visualization statements.
Aphrodisiacs: Increasing Sexual Desire and Capacity
Are you among the millions of people worldwide who are otherwise healthy but who've lost interest in sex? Do you find it boring and routine? Are you so tired that you'd rather nap than make love? Do you think TV is more stimulating than your partner? Do you have physical symptoms, like vaginal dryness or difficulty with erection, that make sex unpleasant?As a relationship matures it is common, but definitely not necessary, for sex to become predictable and unexciting. One of the first places to start improving your sex life is to elevate your general mood and increase your energy level.
How to Use Herbal Salves & Ointments to Shrink Your Hemorrhoids
Comfrey Herbal SalveHere is an herbal combination that contains herbs thatpromote the healing of skin wounds and blood vessel, isantiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, soothing, and antiitching.Here is what is in it:* Comfrey root* St.
Prevent Disease By Thinking Differently Than Experts
Did you know that all physicians and medical researchers have been indoctrinated with a flawed model of thinking dating to the 17th century?These "experts" cling to a Cartesian model of thinking.Cartesian refers to the philosopher Descartes who declared, "I do not recognize any difference between the machines made by craftsmen and various bodies nature alone composes.
How to Stop Hair Pulling With Hypnosis
Stress caused by the day-to-day issues of home life and work can bring people to their breaking point. Many people struggle with the feeling of wanting to pull out their hair.
Treating Arthritis- Naturally
There are actually three common types of arthritis. These areOsteoarthritis which is the most common, affecting around 16million Americans with an average age of 45.
Are You Suffering From Chronic Constipation?
Embarrassing as it may be, we have all suffered from constipation at one time in our life or another. According to the National Health Interview Survey as many as 3 million Americans suffer from frequent if not chronic constipation.
Not Sure About the Mind-Body Connection? You Already Use It To Produce Pain Relief
But Not Nearly Often EnoughIf you're skeptical about your ability to use your own subconscious to ease pain, consider this: you already do it. But you do it by accident, so you don't notice.
Acid Reflux and Heartburn Natural Remedies Part II
If you have acid reflux or heartburn, using natural remedies to rebalance your stomach is what nature intended. Listed are four natural remedies that you can use to rebalance the acid in your stomachCinnamonCinnamon has many medicinal uses aside from being great for various pastries.
Fibromyalgia Pain: How Using Visualizations May Bring You Relief
There are many theories about what causes fibromyalgia. One is that it's due to an overly stimulated sympathetic nervous system.
Relaxation
We talk a lot about stress in our society, but very little about relaxation. Odd, isn't it? The ability to relax is, in my view, undervalued.
Health and Anti-Aging
Some words about anti-aging and disease preventionThe aging process is for the greater part no mystery anymore. It consists for a great part of daily damages done on the macroscopic, tissue, cellular and genetic levels.
Urinary Tract Infections Helped with Cranberry Juice
Cranberry Juice is very rich in Antioxidants and Nutrients which can help to prevent degenerative illnesses and diseases, particularly those associated with the eyes, it is a well known supplement that is frequently used in overcoming UTIs or Urinary Tract Infections, and it could be called a vitamin that boosts the immune system, by increasing and improving cellular communication within the body.Cranberries are very popular in the United States, especially around Thanksgiving Day, because it has become traditional to have it as a sauce with the Thanksgiving Turkey.

More Alternative Information:

Related Articles

Bach Flower Remedies
Bach Flower remedies are 38 plant and flower based remedies which where created during the 1930s by Dr. Edward Bach.
Are Herbal Remedies The Answer?
It seems that almost every day we come across a story in a newspaper or magazine which raises concerns about the use, misuse, or overuse of a particular pharmaceutical remedy in the treatment of minor ailments, or serious medical conditions. Often these stories are quickly discredited as being ill-informed or based on insufficient evidence, perhaps medical opinion is divided, or particular experts in the field prefer to wait for an extended period of time, maybe years, in order to ascertain the safety, or otherwise of these commonly used remedies.
Quick Tip for Runners Who Have Knee Pain
Running with knees that hurt and are not getting better trough time is no fun, and being addicted to running doesn't help either.Fortunately, pain isn't always a definite sign of tissue damage; instead it can be protective pain that is coming from entities called myofascial trigger points.
Acupuncture Arthritis Treatment - Using Acupuncture to Treat Arthritis
Acupuncture treatment for arthritis and joint pain has been with us for centuries. Acupuncture provides many arthritis pain sufferers with an alternative (or an addition) to modern arthritis medication - which can at best be unpalatable and, at worst, potentially toxic.
Amazing Artemesias
Artemis - Goddess of the herbalist - gives her name to a genus of marvelously aromatic, safely psychedelic, highly medicinal, dazzlingly decorative, and more-or-less edible plants in the Asteraceae family. I love Artemis, and I love her plants.
Alternative Medicine and Therapies - What, Why and How of it
Alternative Therapies and alternative medicine has been gaining ground along with conventional treatments. Alternative therapies have been practiced for thousand of years especially in the east commonly known as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Alzheimer's Home Testing Manual Now Available Online
If you're concerned about the condition of an older family member or loved one, you are likely asking yourself: "I know there's something wrong. Could it be Alzheimer's?"You aren't alone.
Using the Subconscious for Pain Relief - What's In It For You?
If you're in chronic pain, you probably want 7 things. If you can learn to use visualization statements to program your subconscious, you may be able to attain most or even all of them.
Magnetic Therapy, How And Why Magnets Effect The Body
Have you ever read or have been told that "it is not known why magnets work"? Well, this is untrue. All human and animal bodies are electromagnetic in nature and this fact is closely allied to the chemical balance of the body which can be in either a healthy or an unhealthy state.
What Is A Home Remedy?
Home Remedies - Facts or Quacks?Myths and legends often have their basis in a grain of truth. So I wondered if home remedies, alternative treatments, and folklore cures might also be based on truth.
How To Prevent The Flu
Can you prevent the flu? or is it just luck when you are virus free all year long! The flu is a highly contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Because this illness can be spread easily by coughing and sneezing, influenza epidemics are very common, especially in winter.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine, also referred to as Herbalism or Botanical Medicine, is the oldest healthcare known to mankind. Herbal medicine is the utilization of herbs for therapy or medicinal purposes.
Kokoro no Kaze: Does Your Soul Have a Cold?
Feeling sad? Have you lost interest in things you used to enjoy? Perhaps you're suffering from a cold of the soul.That's the concept that has taken Japan by storm in the last five years, thanks to a culturally savvy marketing campaign launched by pharmaceutical companies to turn mild depression into an acceptable malady that a simple prescription can cure.
Prenatal Massage
What is prenatal massage? Prenatal Massage is a form of therapeutic bodywork that is geared to meet the unique needs of the pregnant woman. Promoting better function of muscles and joints, prental massage also improves circulation and overall body tone.
Focus Your Light: Earning Money From Home When You Have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /Fibromyalgia
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome /Fibromyalgia makes you extremely tired, exhausted and weak. It means you only have a fraction of the waking hours that most people enjoy - and even those waking hours are often spent feeling exhausted and with brain fog.
Treating West Nile Virus with High Quality St. Johns Wort
West Nile Virus, although new to the U.S.
The Truth About Smokers Pleasure Paradox
Smokers love excuses. Nothing makes them happier than, 'I can't quit because?'.
Reiki
REIKI is a form of natural healing through direct application of Universal Life Force Energy, or CHI (the term used by Chinese mystics and martial artists for the underlying Universal force, otherwise, energy). Through Reiki, energy is thought to be effected by thought.
You Can Stop Biting Your Nails, Heres How!
Are you tired of being self-conscious about your hands and nails? I know exactly what you're going through because I've been there. Did you notice I said, "I've been there".
Remedies for Asthma or Allergies
Remedies for Asthma or AllergiesA lot people have asthma. My daughter, 41 years, included.