Heart Healthy Lifestyle

Written by Cindy Graham
Have you checked in with your heart lately?
The Holistic approach to health encompasses the body, mind and spirit. When we think of Heart Health are we forgetting the importance of the emotional heart?
I have seen and felt wonderful improvements on every level as I incorporate the practices in this blog into my life more and more.
Traditional Chinese Medicine teaches that the heart relates to fire, the small intestine, spiritual consciousness/ intelligence and joy.
It is considered the ruler of all the organs and should be nourished daily to live a long and healthy life.
Diet, exercise and supplements are
important, but don’t underestimate the
emotional element of Heart Health.
Emotional stress, such as depression, trauma, extreme anger, pessimism and grief have been linked to a marked decline in heart health according to a research paper ‘The Cardiovascular toll of Stress’ published in The Lancet September 22, 2007.
It has been discovered that the human heart puts out an electromagnetic field 5000 times stronger than the brain and can be detected up to 10 feet from the body. It is in constant dynamic two way communication with the brain, taking in information from the external environment and pervading every cell in the body. McCraty et al., 2015.
Research conducted at the Heart Math Institute indicates that the heart’s electromagnetic field is an important carrier of information. And that when we unite in positive emotions, we can also positively affect the electromagnetic waves of the earth. For more information, visit the Heart Math Institute.
Dean Ornish, pioneer MD, held ‘The Lifestyle Heart Trial’. It was a 5 year clinical trial from 1986 to 1992, demonstrating how coronary heart disease can be reversed without invasive methods or lipid lowering drugs. The patients were required to eat a 10% fat whole food vegetarian diet, do aerobic exercise, participate in stress management training and psycho-social group support, and cease smoking. The results were revolutionary. 71% of the participants were still adhering to the program at the end of the 5 year trial, which is amazing in and of itself!
Conclusion
I believe we are all connected. How we live in the world affects everyone and everything else. With a balanced holistic approach, we can keep our physical hearts healthy and create more meaning, connection and fulfillment for ourselves and the greater world.
To learn more about staying healthy
contact Natural Health Asheville today
828.777.7678
Cindy Graham
Natural Health & Wellness Coach
Cindy Graham is a holistic health practitioner providing professional coaching and support to her clients in Asheville and throughout Western North Carolina. Specializing in several alternative health modalities, let Cindy guide you to nutritional wellness, emotional health, and optimal well-being.