Immune Support and Stress Management Tip #14

Look after your heart now and in future!

Not only are heart-healthy food choices, effective well researched herbal remedies and heart specific natural supplements, exercise and stress management beneficial for the heart, but also emotions of love, gratefulness and peace from deep relaxation (ref. Tip#12 on the heart being more than a pump).

Just behind the heart, lies the thymus gland, where T-cells (an important part of immune system health) mature.

Studies show that practicing heart focused meditation can lead to improved immunity, better sleep, more energy, and so on. Heart disease was already the world’s no 1 killer, and in the time of COVID-19, it’s become even more significant.

The good news is that there’s a lot you can do to keep your heart in good shape. As cardiologist, Dr. Dean Ornish said, cardiovascular disease is a preventable and even reversible, condition!

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to add more ease to your life anytime you want? You can do this by simply connecting with the qualities of your heart - loving-kindness, forgiveness, compassion, peace and deep inner joy. You might need some practice, but it can be done!

Read my article here on heart health and the rest of the heart centered meditation to help you find inner ease from stress whenever you do it.

Sit comfortably on the floor or in a chair, in a quiet place, with soft light, soothing music if you prefer. Hold your back straight, chin parallel to the floor, hands relaxed in your lap, eyes closed, feet on the floor. Do some deep belly breathing (refer to Tip#4 - you can find the link on our website’s homepage) and feel yourself relaxing with each exhalation. Do this until you’re completely relaxed. In your mind’s eye, imagine a bright, healing light shining into your heart. The light becomes softer, changing to hues of pink & emerald green, associated with feelings of love, peace, reassurance, forgiveness and acceptance...

Written by Dr Arien van der Merwe, Specialist Holistic Health Counsellor, Medical Doctor and Author spec. in Natural, Plant/Botanical Medicine, Stress Management, Workplace Wellness, whose Passion is Health Education.