What Is Heart Rate Coherence?
A healthy heart has a natural beat-to-beat variation in rate, known as Heart Rate
Variability (HRV). Patterns and rhythms
within this variability are important to health and
well-being. Research shows that when you shift into a different
emotional state, heart rhythms immediately change. Negative emotions
such as anxiety and frustration show a disordered and chaotic variation, while
positive states like appreciation and tranquillity show an ordered rhythm
which is synchronised with breathing - as you can see in the video.
The state is known as Heart Rate Coherence (HRC).
A shift towards this ordered rhythm creates a favourable cascade of neural, hormonal and
biochemical changes that benefit you both physically and mentally. The
research-proven effects are both rapid and long-lasting.
Heart Rate Coherence Training
Heart Rate Coherence is something you can learn. Because HRC predisposes you to
positive emotional states it can be a powerful component of therapy for anxiety
and depression as well as stress-related physical symptoms.
You can hire equipment so you can practice HRC training at home, for example in
the context of mindfulness practice.
© Copyright Glyn Blackett York Mind-Body Health, The Biocentre, York Science Park, York YO10 5NY 01904 435 267