
A powerful way to improve mental, emotional, physical and spiritual well-being is to invoke and sustain sincere appreciation. Appreciating yourself, a loved one, friend, pet, even a cherished place or memory also quickly establishes a connection to your heart. The greater your capacity for sincere appreciation, the deeper the connection to your heart, where intuition and unlimited inspiration and possibilities reside.
Appreciation connects you with your heart and can transform your attitudes about life.
Try HeartMath’s Appreciation Tool and exercises:
- Breathe deeply but normally, in for 5 or 6 seconds and out for 5 or 6 seconds. Feel as if your breath is coming in and going out from your heart area.
Focus on your heart area, finding a natural breath rythym that feels comfortable. If you like, place your hand over the center of your chest to help keep your attention in the heart area.
Activate a positive feeling. Remember a time when you felt good inside, and try to re-experience the feeling. One of the easiest ways is to recall a special place you’ve been to or the love you feel for a close friend or family member or treasured pet. This is the most important step: How do you feel? Do you notice a greater ease, well-being or relaxation?
Take two or three appreciation breaks each day, ideally in early morning, at work or school, while returning home or before bed. Simply follow the steps above. It takes as little as two minutes to achieve mental, emotional and physical balance.
Make a list of things you appreciate such as people, places, activities and pets and choose one or two each morning to hold in your heart during the day. Choose one to hold in your heart throughout the night while you rest.
Keep your Appreciation List close by all day, perhaps in a pocket or purse, at your desk or computer. In stressful moments, choose something from your list that can quickly evoke a feeling of appreciation: It can transform a long and stressful day into one that flows – amazingly in 30 seconds or less.