Heart Energy
by Ellen C. Braun
Filed under Controversial Parenting Styles, Get to know Ellen, Latest News
I came across some fascinating studies from the HeartMath Institute regarding the human heart’s energy output- which can dramatically change the way we perceive our interaction with our family each morning!
Scientists have discovered that the output energy of the human heart is larger than any other organ, including the brain. They measured blood pressure, heartbeat, and muscle tension and discovered that feelings stay with a person for eight hours!
That means that if I say, “I love you” and give my child a hug or touch his shoulder in the morning, that positive energy will stay with him all through his school day.
If I yell, “Hurry up!” or scream and criticize during breakfast time, that negative energy will remain in my child’s heart for the next eight hours of his day.
Sometimes, learning one new fact can change or actions more effectively that months or years of goal-writing and self-made commitments. What do you think?
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Wow, 8 hours! This really is a short article that will change my mindset. Thank you, Ellen, for another inspirational idea to help me become a better mom.
Carrie, WV, Mom of 4 small souls
An important piece of information. Would it be possible to write a longer article on this topic and give more of the ‘scientific’ evidence that feelings stay with us for that long? How was it measured? etc. Thank you for your important effort in raising our children … your voice is needed in the world of today. Thank you!!
This is really an enrouraging thought. Every little thing we do really makes a big difference.
Wow! I never in a million years would have thought that! My new mornings are coming and soon!
I’m really interested in this study Ellen, how amazing to understand that emotions remain with us for that long! That’s the last nudge I needed to set my alarm earlier in the morning so that I have less stress getting the family ready to start the day!
This is amazing! I love it when science affirms what we all understand instinctively. Do you have a link to the research?
the main site is http://www.heartmath.org/. I’m going to search for the exact link to this research.
Thanks Ellen, I found that one (and intriguingly, another site with the same name but different logo) but could not find the research link. I hope you do!
Ooooooffff. This brief article just stabbed me in the heart!
This means that we can counteract negative comments with positive ones. As an educator I have learned to tell students what a great futurethey have. When I am walking the halls I stop to say hello, share a joke when possible and make students feel good about themselves. I believe this will nullify any negative feeling they might have from a caustic comment earlier in the day.
Good article. I totally believe it.
Here is the link to some of the research that would back up the idea of how our touch can influence our children, http://www.heartmath.org/research/science-of-the-heart-head-heart-interactions.html
Thank you for these posts, Ron. I really appreciate them!
HeartMath has also shown this important effect of negative energy
The Physiological and Psychological Effects of Compassion and Anger
Glen Rein, PhD, Mike Atkinson and Rollin McCraty, PhD. Journal of Advancement in Medicine. 1995; 8 (2): 87-105.
Key findings: Heart-focused, sincere, positive feeling states boost the immune system, while negative emotions may suppress the immune response for up to six hours following the emotional experience. (I am adding this – So yelling at your child in the morning can suppress their immune system for the whole school day!)
Scroll part way down this link to read the whole research study. http://www.heartmath.org/research/science-of-the-heart-emotional-balance.html
Wow. I have witnessed this effect. If I lose my temper (and darn it, as much as I try, I do sometimes still lose it), I have noticed a “boomerang” of the negative energy come back from my 7-year-old, within 24 hours. Now, can you post some suggestions (and maybe you already have–I’ll do some research) on how to keep your cool when you child is pushing your buttons?