“Much as electricity changed the outer world, learning to harness the power and intelligence of the heart will change our inner world.” -HeartMath.org, a leader in heart coherence.

Our bodies are marvelous, integrated structures. If properly supported, they can heal and reverse most health challenges. The Inner Balance HeartMath app (available here) has been instrumental in my journey to coherently align my physical, mental, and emotional systems—heart coherence. By doing so, I experience increased access to my heart’s intuitive guidance for approaching situations with more compassion, clarity, personal confidence, and emotional balance to be the best version of myself.

As discussed in last week’s blog: How To Train Your Subconscious Mind, your thoughts can create biochemical changes in your body that literally “turn off” the cancer-promoting genes. They can also “turn on” the healing and protective genes that destroy cancer and restore health and vitality. Meaning, your thoughts and beliefs are a major part of the healing process since they can change your body chemistry.

Chronic stress also changes your body chemistry through spikes in cortisol levels. When your brain perceives a threat to the body (whether that threat is real or imagined) and goes into a “fight or flight” response. During this time, your brain literally “turns off” many functions of the immune system to send energy where it is needed at the moment for survival. What is the point of producing white blood cells when you feel like a lion is chasing you?!

The heart rhythm patterns on the graphic below are from HeartMath.com.

The Mind-Body-Healing Connection

Our bodies are not designed to handle excessive stress, negative thoughts, and spikes in cortisol. This is why chronic stress is linked to a wide range of dis-eases, including breast cancer. Many studies have found that 65% (or more) of advanced breast cancer patients had either consistently high or abnormally fluctuating cortisol levels. As expected, those with high cortisol levels also had fewer natural killer (NK) cells to ward off cancer. Additionally, this Oxford study found that “dysregulation of cortisol is associated with more rapid breast cancer progression.”

We need plenty of time in between for the parasympathetic nervous system (the calming part of the nervous system) to replenish and heal. Using the HeartMath app can be one way to calm your mind and body for optimal healing. Honestly, if I were to start over with the 7 Essentials System®, I would put Essential #4 (Heal Your Emotional Wounds) as number one because it’s that critical for healing. Your emotions (energy in motion) and trauma can be “trapped” in your body. That effect can lead to body pains, sickness, and dis-ease. Healing trauma, neutralizing stress, and entering into a relaxed state every day are some of the most important parts of breast cancer healing that are often overlooked. To discover more ways to do this, please review blogs related to Essential #4. 

Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

For 30 years and counting, The HeartMath Inner Balance App has been at the forefront of the most advanced research regarding stress and Heart Rate Variability (HRV). HRV is the “change in time intervals between adjacent heartbeats.” This influences your thoughts, stress, and emotions. It also can tell you how your body is handling physical and mental stress since it is affected by all of your body’s regulatory systems, including your hormone-focused endocrine and reproductive systems.  

The app collects real-time data from your body as you breathe “through your heart” and focus on positive feelings such as joy, gratitude, and peace. It guides you to literally see how your nervous system responds as you get into relaxation mode. 

Since every aspect of your body is beautifully connected, your HRV also impacts your nervous system and your brain. According to the emerging field of neuro-cardiology, the heart and the brain communicate with each other. This is because the heart has its own “neural network” that sends signals and commands to your brain and body through specific hormones. Too little variation in HRV indicates that your energy resources are depleted and that chronic stress has impacted your health. A chaotic HRV indicates that there is chaotic energy in your body and that your body is releasing stress hormones. 

HeartMath puts you in control of your healing with real-time data so that you can accurately experience the relaxation response. It trains your heart and mind to be calmly synchronized and creates an environment conducive to healing.

The Vagus Nerve

The Vagus Nerve has become a major focus for neuro-cardiologists because it is responsible for cellular communication in the body. It starts in the brainstem and travels down the spine, interacting with the heart, lungs, GI tract, and reproductive organs. But that’s not all. The Vagus Nerve is part of the Parasympathetic Nervous System. It is responsible for the relaxation response that is part of heart coherence and ultimately controls HRV. 

Heart Coherence

Heart coherence (also known as cardiac coherence or heart-brain coherence) was first discovered by the HeartMath Institute in 1990. It is a physiological state that occurs when your body’s systems (heart, brain, hormonal, etc.) are in sync. In this state, calmness, balance, focus, clear thinking, and self-regulation naturally take over your body. This unity and integration of your mind, body, and energy flow into stability and resilience for optimal health.

The HeartMath Inner Balance Coherence Plus helps you measure and translate your heart rhythm patterns (HRV) into real-time coherence scores. Doing so trains your heart and brain to sync—reducing stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. This process also improves physical health and performance and clears your mind so you can make better choices. I have found that 15-20 minutes of daily practice helps me flow into heart coherence. Over time, I have become equipped to apply this to all aspects of my life, even without the app. 

The HeartMath experience—for FREE!

Right now, The HeartMath Institute, the nonprofit research arm of HeartMath, is offering free access to The HeartMath Experience interactive video program. The uplifting content provides scientifically validated tools for managing stress and anxiety, boosting your immune system, and giving self-security. Studies show that “practicing HeartMath tools can lead to better reaction times, improved sleeping habits, revitalized energy, a stronger immune system, and so much more.” I am unsure how long HeartMath will be offering this free program, so I would take advantage of it right now. 

Inhallleee, exxhhallleeee…it’s time for true healing!

 

Author: Dr. Veronique Desaulniers, better known as  Dr. V, is a Doctor of Chiropractic & has 44 years of experience in the wellness industry. For personalized support, please partner with a trained Breast Cancer Conqueror Coach.