Science of the Heart

  Heart's Role in Human Performance                            

Read research conducted by the Institute of HeartMath showing how the heart and brain communicate influencing people’s perceptions, emotions, health, and information processing.  Understand how excess stress negatively affects the heart-brain regulating the hormonal, immune and autonomic nervous systems.  In contract, see how positive emotions increases harmony and coherence in heart rhythms improving balance in the nervous system, optimizing overall well-being.

Notice the powerful effects of music on the body-brain.

BREATHE

Breathe To a Calmer Workplace

The International Workplace blog transforms work one conversation at a time. Many exceptional wellness articles are presented. The article on breathing is comprehensive with exercises to follow.

Amygdala De-Dah! (video)

Shift from fear to cheer, harnessing the brain’s amygdala with vibrant movement

The Amygdala part of the brain’s limbic system registers intense feelings, preparing the body to fight, flee or freeze instantly should there be a threat. Some people overreact to stressors rather than stepping back, analyzing the situation and taking a more rational approach.

Why not harness the amygdala, using cheers, handshakes, and other energetic actions like dancing and sports to arouse intense feelings of joy? At the Illinois conference for Health Physical Education, Dance and Recreation professionals showed ‘A-Mig-Dah-La’ gestures then created De Dah! with a simple cheer!

Daily Physical Education with vibrant movement is an excellent way to help students regulate intense feelings in wholesome ways – important during these stressful times.

Alternate Nostril Breathing (video)

Soothe chronic pain and promote relaxation

Timothy McCall, MD. writes in the Yoga Journal explaining how yoga breathing practices can quickly relax the fight-or-flight sympathetic nervous system, shifting energy to the restorative parasympathetic nervous system. Pain can be effectively reduced.

Researchers from Nepal Medical College found that alternate nostril breathing can have a powerful calming effect. Other research is reported on CRPS/RSD A Better Life blog, including interesting ways alternate nostril breathing stimulates the brain hemispheres. A video describing this technique is shown.

Train Your Brain with Exercise

Make yourself smarter with aerobic workouts

Jean Lawrence writing for WebMD summarizes current research showing how exercise combats ADHD naturally, calms hyperactivity, grows new brain cells with added BDNF, releases pleasure chemicals key to memory and motivation, and helps remedy depression, fatigue and stress. Dr. John Ratey is quoted, “Exercise is really for the brain, not the body.” No wonder daily physical education in school is key to maximizing learning potential.

Boys Need Dance!

Strength, Grace and Emotional Balance

Anne Green Gilbert, Founder and Director of Creative Dance Center, points to the critical interplay between how we feel, act and think in her article titled Boys Need Dance. Her article cites many benefits of dance including the need to balance cortisol stress hormone with serotonin to produce feelings of well-being and self-confidence. Creative Dance Center offers many fine articles and Fabulous Resources for Parents and Teachers.

Breathing, Relaxation, Yoga

Workplace Yoga and Meditation Can Lower Feelings of Stress

Newswise reports a study by Janet Buckworth and William Malakey from Ohio State regarding a noon-time, “lose dose” program combining breathing, relaxation and yoga to music with discussions and contemplations of stress at work. Quality of sleep improved as well as mindfulness – the ability to change one’s perception of stress, considering options to manage it.

Here’s another effective way to apply body and brain power for higher productivity and zest for living!

Drum Therapy

Rhythm for self-expression, healing and heightened well-being

Michael Drake cites research on About.com, showing how drumming can reduce tension, anxiety and stress… control chronic pain…boost the immune system… deepen self-awareness… induce altered mental states of euphoria… team with others… connect with the natural rhythms of life… integrate the body, mind and spirit… and heighten self-expression. What a fun way to get the beat on overall health! For more resources check the Shamanic Drumming website.

Exercise ADHD Away

How Exercise Helps With ADHD Symptoms

Everyday Health features an article by Jean Rothman citing reasons why aerobic exercise helps people with ADHD. Don't be distracted by the CONCERTA drug ad for ADHD above and flashing to the side of this insightful article. Focus on how aerobics increases levels of dopamine and serotonin, naturally. Hats off to CONCERTA for making a concerted effort letting people know there are natural means to better sleep, improved focus, less depression, improved eating, stress management, less impulsivity, and a boost of attention.

Socialize to Prevent Dementia

Be socially active and not easily stressed to prevent dementia

Newswise cites a new study reported in the January 20, 2009 issue of Neurology showing that people who are socially active and not easily stressed may be less likely to develop dementia.

Heart-Brain Connection -- Video

The Neuroscience of Social, Emotional, and Academic Learning

Neuroscientist Richard Davidson presents his research showing how social and emotional interactions change the brain. Presented online by Edutopia.org this video explains how disruptive excess stress can be to working memory and cognition. Overflow of the stress hormone cortisol interferes with the hippocampus and amygdala. It is important for people to learn patience and mind calming skills so stress does not hijack the brain and disrupt living and learning.

Age Well with the REAL AGE Website

Live Life to the Youngest!

http://www.realage.com continues to be one of the very best wellness websites – and it’s free! Sign up and received bi-weekly e-mails containing useful health information designed to enhance your total well-being. This is one phenomenal wellness resource!

Jeff Haebig

Drink Water to Bust Stress

Three Quick Tips to Bust Stress from Sharon Promislow

http://www.enhancedlearning.com/el.htm offers three Quick Tips from Sharon Promislow. Drink Water: The #1 Stress Buster and Brain Integrator. Srep 2. Cross Patterning: A jump Start to Brain/Body Integration. Step 3. Not to Worry! Hold Your Positive Points. Sharon has the ability to teach easy and highly effective ways to stop stress from blocking our systems. Her books and workshops are as playful as she is!

Jeff Haebig