Our wonderful MBSR and Heart Math coach Kim Cermak has put together a wonderful article help you find ways to mitigate the stress that sometimes accompanies the holiday season.
As the holiday season approaches, we may feel that our life is demanding more of us than we can handle. This feeling we call “stress” signals our sympathetic nervous system to mobilize energy, telling us to "fight, fight, or freeze.” When in this mode, we fall out of sync, which impairs mental functions and, consequently, our decision-making. Conversely, our parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to its "rest and digest" mode. When these two systems are out of sync, we experience erratic and chaotic heart rhythms, which leads to internal discord that can take a toll on our bodies and mind.
Your heart is more than just an organ that circulates blood throughout your body. HeartMath Institute Research shows that our heart rhythm patterns are reflected in our emotional states. Positive emotions like love or gratitude can put our body back in harmony and stabilize the heart’s rhythms. In this ideal state of coherence, the heart’s electromagnetic energy transmits waves of healing, inner peace, and well‑being that affect us and others.
Heart coherence brings you into a state of balance. Just a few minutes of practicing the Quick Coherence Technique each day can help you focus quickly, feel calm, and improve your state of mind. For an extra benefit, try practicing with a loved one or pet.💕
Step 1.
Focus your attention on the area of the heart. Imagine your breath flowing in and out of your heart or chest area, breathing slower and deeper than usual. Find an easy rhythm that’s comfortable.
Step 2.
As you continue heart-focused breathing, make a sincere attempt to experience a regenerative feeling such as appreciation or care for someone or something in your life. (the feeling you have for someone you love, a pet, a special place, an accomplishment, etc., or focus on a feeling of calm and ease.)
Comments