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:

UPDATE 1-Alternative Networks cautiously optimistic on outlook
Reuters - 3 hours ago
Alternative Networks proposed a final dividend of 3.1 pence, making a total dividend of 4.6 pence for the full year, up from last year's 3.3 pence. ...


Alternative energy firms to get aid
MLive.com, MI - 8 hours ago
by Tina Reed | The Ann Arbor News Two local companies working on alternative energy for vehicles are getting an extra boost from the state. ...


EKUpdate

EKU gets $4.65 million to start alternative-fuels research program
Kentucky.com, KY - 16 hours ago
By Ryan Alessi - ralessi@herald-leader.com Eastern Kentucky University is launching a new alternative-fuels research program in tandem with a San Diego ...
EKU to explore making fuel from cellulose Bizjournals.com
EKU-General Atomics Partnership to Boost Sustainable Biofuel ... EKUpdate
EKU will study farming crops for fuel Louisville Courier-Journal
New Albany Tribune - WTVQ
all 38 news articles


Computerworld

Image gallery: 6 alternative browsers
Computerworld, MA - 7 hours ago
Camino, an open-source browser based on Mozilla's Gecko rendering engine, is clearly designed to be a simple, easy-to-use, yet fully functional browser. ...
Too good to ignore: 6 alternative browsers Computerworld
all 6 news articles


CNET News

Going Electric: Buying an Alternative-Fuel Vehicle, Part 3
PC Magazine - 9 hours ago
It may be a little early for driving enthusiasts to embrace, but alternative fuel technology is here to stay. by Jamie Lendino Are today's alternative-fuel ...
Incentives running out for hybrid car buyers WalletPop
all 4 news articles



Washington Post

TAKE 2: An alternative look at the day in sports
Columbia Daily Tribune, MO - 16 hours ago
By JOE WALLJASPER Given the choice between a computer or a human, give Oklahoma football Coach Bob Stoops the microchips any day. “They don’t have agendas, ...
Ohio State football: A full look at the Buckeyes' BCS bowl scenarios The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com
all 1,924 news articles


New Republic

Alternative-energy advocates hail adviser
Washington Times, DC - 10 hours ago
Renewable and alternative energy advocates looking to score politically by moving their issue into the realm of national security debates notched a victory ...
Jones’ Problematic Energy-Policy Views The Washington Independent
all 4 news articles


Alternative Networks FY08 Profit Rises; Revenues Up 30% - Quick Facts
RTT News, NY - 3 hours ago
(RTTNews) - Alternative Networks Plc (AN.L: News ) announced its preliminary financial results for the fiscal year ended 30 September 2008, reporting profit ...


Alternative school pays tribute to Crisenbery
Lebanon Western Star, OH - 20 hours ago
By Ryan Cook On its 10th anniversary, the Warren County Alternative School paid tribute to the late Larry Crisenbery, who was instrumental in helping the ...

Alternative - Google News

home | site map
© 2006