WHAT IS THE HEARTMATH™ STRESS MANAGEMENT APPROACH?
The HeartMath™ system is a set of practical heart-based technologies and tools that all people can use to dramatically – and quantifiably - reduce stress, improve performance, and enhance health and well-being. The HeartMath System is widely used by Fortune 500 companies, executives, government and police organizations, physicians, educators, health professionals, athletes, and individuals dedicated to improving their quality of life.
WHAT EXACTLY IS STRESS, ANYWAY?
Stress is the term used to describe the wear and tear the body experiences in reaction to any pressure that disrupts its normal balance. Stress occurs when our perceptions of events do not meet our expectations, and we are unable to manage our reaction. Change, illness or injury, and career or lifestyle changes are common causes of stress. However, it’s the pressure and tension we feel in response to the everyday hassles – like rush hour traffic, work piling up, financial obligations, too much to do – that do the most damage. It is actually not the events or situations that do the harm; it is how we respond to those events that is damaging. More precisely, it is how we feel about them that determine whether we are stressed or not.
IMPROVING YOUR HEALTH
Stress affects us physically, mentally, and emotionally. According to the American Institute of Stress, up to 90% of all health problems are related to stress. Additionally, a large body of research confirms that our thoughts and emotions have a dynamic effect on our health and vitality. Stress can contribute to many health problems including heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, depression, and sleep disorders. While we cannot change many of the events that contribute to stress, we can significantly improve how we respond to those events.
WHY HEARTMATH?
Exercise, a good diet, and relaxing are all important aspects of good health, but without emotional management they are only part of the stress management solution. Emotions like frustration, anger, and anxiety inhibit optimal health. Positive emotions like appreciation, care, and love not only feel good, they also promote health, performance and well-being. HeartMath’s research has shown when you learn how to intentionally shift to a positive emotion, heart rhythms immediately change. A shift in heart rhythms may not seem important, but in fact it creates a favorable cascade of neural, hormonal, and biochemical events that benefit the entire body. The stress-reducing effects are both immediate and long lasting.
HeartMath’s research has been published in journals such as the Harvard Business Review, The American Journal of Cardiology, Journal of Innovative Management, and Journal of Advancement in Medicine. For more information about publications and research, visit: www.HeartMath.com.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The HeartMath tools produce significant, sustained improvements in stress levels, mental state, emotional well-being, and physiology. They allow you to:
- Manage your stress and maintain grace under pressure – anytime, anywhere, 24 hours a day/seven days a week, in less than 60 seconds
- Feel better more often
- Have more energy at the end of the day
- Reduce fatigue, anxiety, tension and burnout
- Make better decisions
- Increase creativity and clarity of thinking
- Communicate more effectively for improved relationships
PERSONAL COACHING FOR STRESS MANAGEMENT
The coaching process in the use of the HeartMath tools consists of a series of one-hour private sessions that may be conducted either in person or on the phone. In addition, interactive software and other learning materials are used to enhance your learning and application of the tools. Sessions may be customized to best meet your needs.