You probably know that stress related issues are the leading cause for sick days. But you may not know about the important connection between attitude and performance. When you're under stress, the graph of your Heart Rate Variability (HRV) is a jagged and herky-jerky squiggle (the red graph on left). But when you're feeling a positive emotion, the graph of your HRV is a smooth and even sine wave (blue graph on left).
Why does this matter? Reasearch conducted by the Institute of HeartMath(R) has demonstrated that important bodily systems, such as the autonomic nervous system and the hormonal system, take cues from the heart. When you are feeling a negative emotion such as stress or frustration, your incoherent HRV triggers the production of cortisol which has been linked to conditions such as
•Accelerated aging (Kerr et al., 1991; Namiki, 1994)
•Brain cell death (Kerr et al., 1991; Sapolsky, 1992)
•Impaired memory and learning (Kerr et al., 1991; Sapolsky, 1992)
•Decreased bone density; increased osteoporosis (Manolagas, 1979)
•Reduced muscle mass (Beme, 1993)
•Reduced skin growth and regeneration (Beme, 1993)
•Impaired immune function (Hiemke, 1994)
•Increased blood sugar (DeFeo, 1989)
•Increased fat accumulation around waist / hips (Marin, 1992)
•Obesity (Marin 1992)
•Diabetes (Nestler 1992)
•Hypertension (Shafagoj 1992)
•Heart Disease (Barrett-Connor 1986)
•Cancer (Bhatavdekar 1994)
•Alzheimer’s (Nasman 1995)
•HIV-related disease (Wisniewski 1993)
When we're stressed, not only are we more susceptible to injury and illness, but we also cannot think as clearly. Stress impairs both memory and creativity. AND, stress is infectious! One grumpy person in an office, complaining at the water cooler, can quickly multiply into many grumpy people.
I consider myself an expert on this subject as I have two certifications from HeartMath, LLC. But you don't have to take my word for it, there are lots of books, webinars, and papers on the subject. I'll add what I can to this blog and provide links for the rest.
I'm committed to growing healthy people, healthy teams, healthy organizations, healthy communities, and a healthy planet. That's why HeartMath resonnates so well with me. I'm truly grateful to all the folks at HeartMath for the good they do in the world.
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2 comments:
I am intrigued. Being somewhat familiar with HeartMath, I wonder about the organizational implications of mind/body/social entrainment. I have read "Primal Leadership" by Goleman and understand the concept of an "amygdala highjack" (the reality that one simply cannot think clearly when one's emotions have sway). What about group amygdala highjacks, if everyone was entrained? Would it be the same as groupthink?
Your blog is truly inspiring me to be more courageous and bold in my endeavours to grow healthy people, healthy communities and a healthy planet. Never mind if not everything works out perfect. We are developing a project called 'Living Medicine' in London and reading your blog is giving me the necessary push to be even more pro-active.
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