The holidays can be stressful for many people. What if they could be less stressful? What if you could implement a practice for stressful times, and for your life in general? We teach HeartMath here at IM of CNY, and it has the potential to transform your stress to calm acceptance, and peace.
HeartMath is biofeedback that uses your heart rate variability along with breathing techniques to help regulate your central nervous system. The technique retrains your central nervous system from fight or flight (stress and high cortisol levels) into coherence, which is a state where your central nervous system is working in harmony with your entire body. People who practice HeartMath regularly see a decrease in depression, anxiety, and fatigue with an increase in quality of sleep, focus, and calmness. HeartMath teaches us how powerful emotions are and the impact they have on our central nervous system. There are depleting emotions like anger, anxiety, and resentment, and renewing emotions like joy, care, and contentment. You will learn how to connect to your heart space and emotions, which help to create physical change in your body.
HeartMath also offers heart rate variability technology along with the inner balance app for your phone, which helps you keep track of your progress, and see your central nervous system change in real time. Now through the end of the year, you can get a discount on all HeartMath technology and sessions! Or give the gift of calm to a loved one. Below is the inner balance for iPhone - receive a special Holiday discount now through the end of the year! Also offered is a blue tooth version and a handheld version if you want something simple.
Try one of HeartMath’s core techniques below to create peace and calm this holiday.
Quick Coherence - this simple but effective technique is the backbone of the HeartMath practice. When you can engage positive feelings, in the moment, you replace depleting emotions with ones that can renew your system. This technique is very simple, but don’t let that deter your focus, each step is very important.
Step 1: Focus your attention on the area of your heart. Imagine your breath flowing in and around your heart space. Breathe a little slower and deeper than usual.
Step 2: Make a sincere and genuine attempt to experience a regenerative feeling such as appreciation or care for someone or something in your life.
*We encourage our clients to find a focus before they start this practice. Finding something or someone you can genuinely connect to that gives you a rejuvenating feeling can be complex; to keep it simple to start we use the example of how the sun feels on our face on a beautiful day. Start there if something doesn’t come to mind.
*HeartMath techniques are not a one-and-done; the more you practice them in the moment, the more they can help regulate your central nervous system. We suggest starting out by incorporating this into your daily routine 2-3 times a day for 2-5 minutes. You don’t have to be seated, still, or have your eyes closed. This is not meditation; you can practice while in the car, in line at the store, or while brushing your teeth.
We offer an introduction and a 4 session HeartMath program here at our office (ask about Holiday discounts); we can have in-person sessions or telemedicine sessions if you are not able to come in person. HeartMath provides several other techniques, and we are here to help practice, hold you accountable, and troubleshoot with our technology if needed. Please call us with any questions you may have at 315-741-5774 and ask for Cali or Ashley in the neurofeedback department. We look forward to hearing from you and wish you and your family a beautiful holiday season.
The Neurofeedback Team at IM of CNY
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