Heart Math

Smart Math is the newest training I’ve become certified in. So why did I find it helpful to go through the process of certificaton?

Well, nearly all of the clients I work with need some level of training in what I consider interchangeable terms:

  • stress reduction
  • regulation skills
  • coping skills

I found with SmartMath that I was better able to teach those skills. And, by technology via a small, bluetooth device, could allow clients to monitor their heart rate variance (called in HeartMath coherence) and track if they were in “coherence’ – i.e. were experiencing a parasympathetic nervous system response. 

That means their hear rate would normally increase when breathing in and decrease when breathing out. This is called Heart Rate Variance (HRV.) And their breaths per minute were in the eight to ten breaths / minute (about breathing in for five seconds and breathing out for five seconds.)

When the breathing rate was followed, the heart-rate followed too. And, then the state of arousal / regulations became lower. 

This doesn’t need “tech” to do -but wow, tech helps.

I’m including some pdfs to give more information about SmartMath.

I offer this service to my clients. But it’s also helpful as a standalone set of one to four to eight sessions (depending on the client’s needs.)

So, please contact me if this could benefit you or your clients. I can work in an adjunct manner.

What is key about all of this – you need to practice – and you need to practice when you are calm. So when do you want to learn to ride a bike? When you are out on a highway like 92 or when you are in cul-de-sac? Of course you want to practice when you are in a safe place. You learn better and more effectively. So practice these skills when you aren’t activated. Maybe when they become more familiar add in a future potentially stressful experience, and then imagine how you’ll use those skills in that situation.
 

But if you practice when you’re brain is “online” (did you know that when you are under stress, your thinking brain can go offline? Think of patting the front of your head, that’s your thinking brain. When it’s under stress, often times it goes “offline”) so practice these skills when you are relaxed. They become a kind of muscle memory. Then when there is a stressful situation, your body and brain know better what you want them to do.

When you develop better coping skills, you may find yourself better able to handle Atlanta traffic, de-escalate a work situation, improve your relationship with your significant other, better able to comfort and regulate your child. 

You can check with your doctor if stress reduction will improve your blood pressure, your blood glucose levels and improve your sleep.

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