Vitality, regeneration, wellness, preventative medicine, holistic health, anti-aging, we hear these words frequently as millions of us are seeking to maintain our health in the presence of Father Time. More and more we find ourselves focusing on staying vital and disease free and above all we desire to live a quality life as long as we possibly can.

In the quest for better health and longevity many stay on the hunt for the latest treatments, healing methodologies, exotic herbs and supplements, attend yoga classes and watch food intake with greater discrimination. All of these things are important and do contribute mightily to wellness.

Another important contributor to health lies in the mind/emotions/body connection with the internal power to heal. Research conducted in the field of psychoneuroimmuneology has confirmed without a doubt that our thoughts and feelings have a dynamic effect of health and well-being. While this view is accepted by many it can often be difficult to actualize our internal healing capacities in the face of increasing stress. It takes focus, commitment, and belief to accumulate the energy needed to take a mind/emotions/body approach to wellness from conceptual to reality.

A simple but important question to answer is this, "How much energy do we drain from allowing ourselves to experience stress producing thoughts and feelings versus how much do we accumulate from maintaining positive emotional perspectives and acting on insights?" As we engage with our intelligence and integrity, making mental and emotional choices that revitalize and renew instead of succumbing to the standard, automated responses to life?s events, we build the internal energy reserves needed for self-healing and more.

This can sound hard to do but in fact it could be easier than you might think. The secret lies not in the mind alone but rather is found in the heart.

At HeartMath we?ve spent the last 15 years diligently studying "heart" physically, emotionally and spiritually. Our researchers have been mapping the communication pathways between the heart, the brain and the rest of body while also studying the effects of positive emotions on health and performance. What we?ve learned is that the heart is the master controller in the human system capable of sending powerful, healing commands throughout the entire body. These signals from the heart have a dynamic impact on the nervous, hormonal and immune systems. They also influence brain function and have the ability to improve cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, psychological problems and more. In essence our old friend the heart may be the best healer of all.

The key to harnessing the heart?s amazing power lies in our ability to consciously generate positive emotional states like appreciation, care and love. With stress increasing--personally, interpersonally and sociallymany people have lost this ability only experiencing theses regenerative emotions occasionally. As a result we?ve become cut off from the heart and our health and well-being are paying a steep price.

In an effort to bring about a more heart directed approach to living we?ve developed techniques and technology used to improve the heart?s communication. The results we?ve seen have been amazing as we?ve shared this work in Fortune 100 companies, health care organizations, school systems, government agencies and with tens of thousands of individuals in over 50 countries. We documented health care costs reductions, improvements in disease states, improved academic performance, significant reductions in stress levels and an increase in overall fulfillment all because people are reconnecting with something they?ve had all along their heart.

Improving health is a complex process. Illness and disease happen for a variety of reasons from the biological to the spiritual. Through the power of the heart greater understanding will emerge about why illness occurs and what we can do about it to create wholeness healing at all levels. Most importantly it can give us the ability to make peace with whatever comes our way.

Howard Martin
www.heartmath.com

Howard Martin brings more than 30 years of experience in business and personal development to the position of Executive Vice President, Strategic Development - HeartMath. Howard's responsibilities include global alliances, marketing, and program and product development. Howard has been instrumental in assisting Doc Childre in the development and teaching of HeartMath's programs since its inception. He speaks internationally on the HeartMath approach to advancing human performance that is based on compelling scientific research--linking heart function with health, emotional well-being and intelligence.

Howard is co-author with Doc Childre of The HeartMath Solution, published in 2000 by Harper San Francisco. He also developed Nightingale-Conant's tape series, "The HeartMath Method."

The HeartMath Solution: The Institute of HeartMath's Revolutionary Program for Engaging the Power of the Heart's Intelligence

The HeartMath Solution is based on the breakthrough discovery that the heart's intelligence has more impact on our emotions, mind, and physical well-being than ever thought possible. You can access the power of your heart's intelligence to improve your focus and creativity, elevate your emotional clarity, lower stress and anxiety levels, strengthen your immune system, promote your body's optimal performance, and slow the aging process.