Stress, Emotions and Physiological Coherence
McCraty, R.M. and Atkinson, M.A.
Institute of HeartMath, 14700 West Park Avenue, Boulder Creek CA 95006, USA
This presentation will review research conducted at the Institute of HeartMath on the effects of stress and emotional states, both positive and negative, on the autonomic nervous system, brain function (cortical inhibition and facilitation) and the coherence in the electromagnetic field produced by the heart. Data will be presented showing results of a new stress management technology which uses heart-focused techniques, such as Freeze-Frame, that lead to entrainment between heart rate variability (HRV) patterns, respiration rate, the very low frequency region of the electroencephalograph (EEG) and blood pressure waves. Autonomic dysrhythmias have been implicated in a wide variety of pathologies, including depression, fatigue, hypertension,
diabetes and heart disease. Analysis of heart rate variability over 24 hours (Holter recordings) provides a window into the interactions of sympathetic and parasympathetic control of the heart. Using frequency domain and circadian rhythm analysis, autonomic activity, balance and rhythms have been characterized in a number of pathologies. Stress and chronic negative emotional states have been shown to generate incoherent patterns in HRV (a key indicator of autonomic function). These disordered and inefficient heart rhythms deplete the body’s reserves and lead to a state we have termed autonomic exhaustion. Positive emotional states, on the other hand, lead to increased coherence in HRV and enhance autonomic efficiency, which facilitates recovery. Clinical examples of patients with various disorders who were able to significantly improve their autonomic balance, symptomatology and psychological well-being by using techniques to increase physiological coherence are presented.
| LOCATION |
DATE |
TIME |
| Lecture Hall II |
Thursday, April 9 |
10:25 am |