HeartMath Techniques and Stress
Updated: Apr 13, 2022
What is HeartMath? HeartMath is a well-researched and tested system of techniques and optional technology that is science-based and proven to help improve self-regulation which helps build resilience to stress and brings the mind and body into balance.
The science base of HeartMath is all about heart rate variability/coherence and listening to biofeedback produced during the practice of the techniques. Coherence is a physiological state we experience when body systems are performing optimally and in tandem with one another.
The emotions we experience from moment to moment throughout the day have a direct effect on our bodies and minds. Close your eyes for a moment and remember what it feels like to snuggle a puppy. Remembering that experience didn’t just evoke an emotional memory it also brought forward a body memory. More than likely your breath rate slowed as well as your heat rate. A similar thing happens when we recall a stressful event or are in the middle of a stress event. Except the body experience is more disruptive to our systems. Your breath and heart rate may increase. You may start sweating or shaking. The body and mind are intricately connected and what happens in one also happens in the other.
Big stress or little stress both impact our bodies in similar ways. A typical stress reaction starts a biochemical chain reaction in the body and if this is left to run rampant, we can become drained of energy, robbed of effectiveness, and experience early cognitive disfunction.
We don’t have to become numb to our stress and accept it as an unavoidable fact of life. If we make ourselves aware of how we respond to stress we can become more sensitive to how it is affecting us in the moment and head off that chain reaction biochemical process before it presents as a physical, mental, or emotional complaint.
The best strategy is to handle stress in the moment. Which of course means we must be familiar with and practiced in techniques to bring ourselves into a state of balance and coherence. A HeartMath certified practitioner can help you become efficient in techniques to enhance your response to stress.
~Tonia Mayerle, Ayurveda Health Counselor