Heart is Not Just a Pump

I will never forget taking my grandson to the Toronto Zoo during the COVID pandemic. Circles painted on the ground ensured physical distancing, but as a pediatric neuropsychologist, I noticed something fascinating: the children weren't looking at the animals—they were looking at each other, they wanted to connect.

Later, I discovered why this might be: our hearts' electromagnetic fields extend several feet away. Even when physically distanced, our hearts remain connected.

The Heart's Hidden Intelligence

Research shows that conscious attention to heart rhythm and breathing can create "psychophysiological coherence" – a state where multiple biological systems synchronize for optimal function.

The heart isn't just a pump – it's a sophisticated information processing center that influences and is influenced by your thoughts, emotions, and overall well-being. By creating coherence between heart and brain, we actively participate in optimizing our health.

Recent research reveals that the heart generates a measurable electromagnetic field that can:

• Extend several feet from the body
• Be detected by other people's nervous systems
• Potentially influence others' emotional states
• Create a "group field" in social settings

The Science of Heart Synchronization

When people spend time together, particularly in close relationships, their heart rhythms can actually synchronize. Studies have shown that mothers and infants, couples, and even people in group meditation can develop synchronized heart patterns. This synchronization appears to strengthen emotional bonds and enhance empathy.

The Heart-Brain Conversation

The heart and brain maintain constant communication through neural, hormonal, and electromagnetic pathways. By focusing attention on our internal processes, we can influence this communication.

Think of it like learning to play a musical instrument – with practice, we can "tune" our nervous system to play more harmoniously. Regular practice can:

• Slow heart rate
• Reduce inflammation
• Improve emotional regulation
• Enhance cognitive function

Your Daily Heart Practice

I hope I've convinced you to think about your heart not only when something feels wrong. By dedicating just a few minutes daily to heart-focused attention, you'll develop coherence that allows you to:

• Handle social stress better
• Recover more quickly from conflicts
• Show greater emotional flexibility
• Maintain more stable relationships