The Heart-Mind Connection

By Robin Haggberg, RN, Reiki Master

There is now a proven, direct connection between heart disease and stress. The heart has an overwhelming job to do. It is a constantly working muscle that cannot take a break to rest or heal.

Your heart also needs nutrients brought to it by circulating blood. Stress has a direct impact on the functioning of your heart and plays a major role in people with heart disease or hypertension.

Hypertension causes narrowing of he major vessels that supplement the heart, making it even more difficult for it to remain healthy. Research of the heart-mind connection shows us that how we think and react to situations in our lives has an effect on our hearts.

When under stress, your brain is constantly releasing nerve impulses and hormones to your circulatory system. In a past study at Harvard, subjects were monitored using certain relaxation techniques and the results were very concrete and measurable. Some of the clinical data showed that there was a reduction in blood pressure, heart rate, and overall muscle tension.

There are hundreds of different ways to meditate or relax. The main emphasis on the success of meditation is do it consistently. Healing one's self is an ongoing process. Just as disease processes take time, so does the healing process. May you recognizing your need to have an intervention, for the sake of your heart, be your first step.