Did you know that your heart and mind are connected?
We are often told to decide whether to listen to our heart or listen to our head when making an emotional decision. But, what if the heart and mind were actually connected?
I recently became a member of the HeartMath Institute. I found them whilst researching my own spiritual journey and their philosophy really resonated with me. They are a non-profit organisation who aim to empower anyone who wants to enhance their life by giving them tools to enable them to do so. Their scientific research into the heart and its functions have proven that it is far more than an organ that merely beats to keep us alive.
According to the HeartMath Institute, your heart contains neurons that hold short and long term memory and these neurons can communicate with your brain, affecting our emotions. The brain can similarly send messages to the heart. This means that the heart and the brain are linked intelligently and that what one thinks, so does the other. Our positive or negative thoughts and feelings effect our ability to make good decisions, have a direct effect on our immune system and our physical and mental wellbeing.
Their video below gives more of an insight into some of their findings.
There are many tools available on the HeartMath website, including their Quick Coherence Technique which can help you quickly reset your heart and brain and get you thinking more calmly and positively in around one minute. How cool is that? I use this technique myself and with my clients as well as in some of my guided meditations. I find it to be really effective.
Here’s a quick description of how to use HeartMath’s Quick Coherence Technique:
- Focus your attention in your heart and slow your breathing down. Imagine that your breath is flowing in and out of your heart.
- Think about a positive memory, place or loved one and feel appreciation towards that memory.
This technique centres your thoughts, calms your mind and brings your heart and mind back into balance. After about a minute, you will feel more able to go on with your day, make good decisions and it will give your immune system a little boost too.
So, the next time you have an emotional decision to make, use this technique first and then use your heart AND your mind to make your choice.
Why not give it a go yourself? If you find it to be helpful, I’d love to hear about it so please leave a comment below.
Suz McDonald
Founder of Heart Mind Happy
I am a certified ThetaHealing® Instructor, life management consultant and a mandala artist. Also certified reiki and Access Bars, I combine these techniques to bring about positive change in your life.
Join me for a one on one consultation or a meditation and mandala workshop and take the first step to changing your life for the better.
“The ThetaHealing® Technique is a meditation training technique utilising a spiritual philosophy for improvement and evolvement of mind, body and spirit.”
