The Connection Between Joy, the Heart, and Health

This writing is part of my reflection while I was praying… I touched the left side of my chest and felt the rhythm of my heart. I emptied my mind for a moment and continued to feel the heartbeat, as if I was waiting for grace.. Hehehe.. just kidding..

I’m a bit confused about where to start writing from. I tried to connect between heart rhythm and cardiovascular disease. Based on Shindler and Kostis (1994), normal cardiac rhythm is defined as a normal sinus rhythm, which is, the cardiac rate is between 60 and 100. When the heart beats too quickly or too slowly, this is often defined as arrhythmia. When I prayed, I felt that my heart rhythm was beating normally, calm, and at a peace. Does this mean that universe is supporting me? How does our soul actually sinergize directly with our heart?

I reflect on how our heart rhythm will always follow our mood. The heart beats normally when we feel calm, peaceful, joyful, and when we are doing what we are meant to do. On the other hand, an abnormal heart rhythm can be experienced by someone who is perceiving sadness, stress, depression, anger, etc. This is my personal reflection. Our human body is designed by God so perfectly. Therefore, the body will always respond to the interventions we make, whether positive or negative.

I’m citing sentences from a journal titled “Psychological Health, Well-Being, And The Mind Heart-Body Connection: A Scientific Statement From The American Heart Association” that states, “The mind, heart, and body are interconnected and interdependent. Factors, conditions, and disease states (both physical and psychological) that affect 1 of these 3 components of a person can affect the other 2 components. It is well-established that systemic body factors and conditions, including diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, can adversely affect the heart and the broader cardiovascular system.”

The research findings in the journal also show that negative behaviors such as anger, hostility, anxiety, and depression were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, which is characterized by increased blood pressure. Meanwhile, positive psychological factors such as happiness, optimism, gratitude, sense of purpose, and mindfulness have been shown to be associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.

Now, I realize that health is not only about food because humans are spiritual beings. Create joy wherever we are, maximize the talents we have, and we will be healthy.

Happiness comes from within..

Resource:

Levine GN, Cohen BE, Commodore-Mensah Y, Fleury J, Huffman JC, Khalid U, Labarthe DR, Lavretsky H, Michos ED, Spatz ES et al. 2021. Psychological health, well-being, and the mind heart-body connection: a scientific statement from the american heart association. Circulation. 143:e763-e783. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000947