HeartMath Reaches Out

In its response to recent tragic national events, the HeartMath Institute is offering free public services to help build emotional security in children and adults. Some of the tools they offer can be downloaded from the HeartMath website. Teachers especially are encouraged to investigate these offerings.

According to HeartMath's information, Gallop, USA Today and Pew Research polls show that 71 percent of Americans are depressed, 49 percent can't focus on work or other everyday activities, a third aren't sleeping well, and 58 percent are worried about the future. Even children are expressing concern about their own safety. One poll suggests that 46 percent of America's children are feeling fear since the attack on America.

A communication we received from their office indicated that HeartMath's deep desire to help has led them to the idea of providing a number of new programs and services for children and adults. One such service, the Heart Lock-In(R) technique, has been clinically validated to help relieve stress, regain stability and mental clarity. It enables people to function with maximum effectiveness in the moment. It can now be downloaded free from the HeartMath website.

Psychologist Deborah Rozman, an executive for HeartMath, said, "We're encouraging people to use this technique as often as possible. Tapping into the heart's curative intelligence right now will help us all regain our emotional balance."

Dr. Rollin McCraty, research director for the Institute of HeartMath, explained that the Lock-In technique works by consciously shifting our feelings to appreciation, compassion, or other positive, or loving emotions.

When we do this, McCraty said, "our heart rhythms immediately shift. This change in the heart creates a favorable cascade of physiological events that benefit the entire body. Blood pressure normalizes. Stress hormones drop. The immune system pumps up. Anti-aging hormones increase. We gain clarity, calmness, and control."

In addition to the Heart Lock-In tool, HeartMath is also offering to children, parents, and teachers an Emotional Security Tool Kit, which adapts HeartMath techniques to the specific and urgent needs of children during this crisis. HeartMath is making this tool kit available online and free to anyone who wants to help their children with immediate feelings of stress and anxiety, and better prepare them for future stressful events.

HeartMath is also offering a special classroom version of the Emotional Security Tool Kit for teachers. Although it's not yet available online, teachers can reserve the printed classroom version of the Emotional Security Tool Kit for Children by going to the HeartMath website or by calling the Institute at 800-450-9111. The classroom version includes a teachers manual, materials for the students, and a teaching video.

How You Can Help

HeartMath has a goal of reaching five million children in America by distributing the Emotional Security Tool Kit through state, district, and local school systems. The total cost will be $15 million dollars, or approximately $3 per child. If you are interested in helping with this effort, go to the HeartMath Website, or call the Institute at 800-450-9111 for information. The Institute of HeartMath is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, so all contributions are tax-deductible.