Alternative Information

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. She is available for presentations on the power of beliefs and on Stress Reduction. For more information you can reach her at http://www.thestressreductioncoach.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Sunrise Solar tapped for alternative energy project in Brazil
Bizjournals.com, NC - 4 hours ago
The project is part of a multimillion-dollar alternative energy development initiative by Brazil which is making a big push to become energy self-sufficient ...
Solar project narrows gap on fuel costs San Jose Mercury News
Sunrise Solar to Provide Solar to Brazilian Hospitals istockAnalyst.com (press release)
all 25 news articles


Treasury Bond Alternative
Boston Globe, United States - 5 hours ago
"Where should I put my money right now? I don't feel comfortable investing in stocks, and I've heard that Treasury bonds are paying next to nothing. ...


Alternative fitness routines for the new year
Newsday, NY - 12 hours ago
BY JOHN HANC | Special to Newsday What drives the fitness industry? "It's always about 'what's next?'" says Jill Oppenheimer of Hewlett, a former group ...


Hybrids, alternative fuel cars showcased
Detroit Free Press, United States - 11 hours ago
The EcoXperience exhibit will feature about a dozen hybrid vehicles and other vehicles powered by alternative fuels. It will be supported by General Motors ...
Michigan Economic Development Corporation and North American ... PR Newswire (press release)
Try hybrid vehicles at auto show exhibit Detroit Free Press
all 8 news articles


WELT ONLINE

Gas war may boost alternative routes to Europe
guardian.co.uk, UK - Jan 6, 2009
But a cut in supplies via Ukraine this week, the result of a dispute with Russia over debts and pricing, may force Europe's leaders to support alternative ...
Video: Ukraine has shut all gas pipelines to Europe - Gazprom RussiaToday
Gas row shows importance of alternative gas routes Canada.com
Russia again cuts flow of gas through Ukraine Los Angeles Times
Reuters - BBC News
all 4,983 news articles


Fuel Systems Solutions to Launch US Automotive Alternative Fuel ...
MSNBC - 19 minutes ago
Since the 1960s, Fuel System Solutions' transportation subsidiary, BRC, based in Cherasco, Italy, has been a major provider of alternative fuel systems ...


Dunn would be smart alternative for Dodgers
FOXSports.com - 13 hours ago
Not a bad alternative. Not bad at all. At the moment, the Dodgers are focused on pitching, talking to free-agent closer Trevor Hoffman as well as other ...


Alternative school faces hardships, closure
Galveston County Daily News, TX - 13 hours ago
When Robledo enrolled at Galveston Alternative Educational Center, Whatley bought him books she thought he might find interesting: literature about sports. ...


NECN

Study offers progress report on alternative education
NECN, MA - 21 hours ago
But Johnson agrees that all schools can learn from the alternative schools' success and said she wants to "do the kind of 'learning walks' that we're doing ...


TAKE 2: An alternative look at the day in sports
Columbia Daily Tribune, MO - 23 hours ago
By DAVID BRIGGS Ohio State’s inspired showing against heavily favored Texas in last night’s Fiesta Bowl just might have opened the door for Bob Stoops to ...

Alternative - Google News

home | site map
© 2008