A grateful heart is a magnet for miracles! That’s why this morning we will be doing an exercise that was taught to me by a couple of incredible integrative medical doctors from UCSD school of medicine. Below is a simple five step positive emotion-focused technique that is designed to help you self-induce and sustain states of appreciation & gratitude:
1. Take a time-out so that you can temporarily disengage from your thoughts & feelings – especially stressful ones.
2. Shift your focus of attention to the area around your heart – now feel your breathing coming in through your heart & out through your solar plexus (practice breathing this way a few times to ease into the technique).
3. Make a sincere effort to activate a positive feeling (this can be a genuine feeling of appreciation or care for someone, some place or something in your life).
4. Ask yourself: “What would be an efficient, effective attitude or action that would balance & destress my system?”
5. Quietly sense any change in perception or feeling & sustain it as long as you can (heart perceptions are often subtle. They gently suggest effective solutions that would be best for you & all concerned).
#MindBodySpirit
Positive emotions have been demonstrated to improve health and increase longevity! They increase cognitive excitability and creativity, facilitate broad-minded coping, innovative problem solving, as well as promote helpfulness, generosity, and effective cooperation. With this in our hearts lets make the intention to remain on a constant quest to get better week in and week out!
For more info, check out these evidence based charts that are related to this concept of heart-based emotional intelligence! Give this technique a try and make sure to let us know!
Written by Student Doctor: Navpreet Singh Badesha ©06/19/2017 All Rights Reserved.
Inspired by: The Psychophysiology of Positive Emotions & Optimal Functioning by Dr. Rollin McCraty, Ph.D. HeartMath Research.
