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Have you ever felt the world spinning too fast around you? Or maybe you’re familiar with the feeling of being overwhelmed by your thoughts and emotions? If yes, then I have something that might just change your life.
What is the Heart Lock-In® Technique?
The Heart Lock-In Technique is a simple yet transformative method I’ve picked up from the Heart Math Institute, which is renowned for its research on heart coherence. This technique teaches you to self-regulate, helping you to be more calm and present. It’s an absolute game-changer for those of us living with ADHD.
Why the Heart Lock-In® Technique Works for ADHD
For us ADHD warriors, self-regulation is crucial. But the more self-regulated we are, the less our symptoms disrupt our day-to-day activities, and the more ease we can live with. And who doesn’t want that, right?
Practicing the following technique regularly will not only help you regulate your emotions (and your whole nervous system) better, but it will also help you tap into your intuition more skillfully, and make better decisions.
Let the Journey Begin
Now, I know you’re intrigued. So let’s dive right into this. The first thing you need to do is to take a minute and just feel into your body. Consider how you’re feeling in this moment. Maybe you’re feeling pretty neutral, or maybe you’re happy, excited, stressed out, overwhelmed, or just in a not-so-great mood. Whatever it is, put a name to it.
Getting Comfortable
Once you’ve identified your current emotional state, I want you to put that aside for a minute. Now, get comfortable. You don’t have to be sitting. I’m standing right now. So, do whatever makes you feel comfortable.
Focusing on the Heart
The next step is to bring your attention to your heart center. You don’t have to close your eyes for this. Keep them open or closed, whatever you prefer. But do focus on your heart area. Start breathing slower and more deeply than you usually do. Allow yourself a few minutes to settle into that deeper, slower breathing rhythm.
Choosing Your Emotion
Now, based on what you identified as your current emotional state, pick a regenerative emotion that you would love to feel right now. Something that can counterbalance any negative emotion that you might be feeling. Or, if you’re feeling neutral, pick something that would make you feel calm or happy, peaceful, or content.
Radiating Good Vibes
I often choose gratitude because it always lifts my spirits. Once you’ve chosen your emotion, bring that into your heart center. Try to truly embody it. Marvel at how it feels, and when it feels right, try radiating that positive feeling out to your surroundings.
Imagine pushing the boundaries of your personal space and radiating that good emotion out to the room and anyone else who might be in it with you. Once you’ve filled up the room with this emotion, try expanding it to the building that you’re in.
The Ripple Effect
Picture blanketing your entire home or environment in this emotion. And if you’re feeling adventurous, try pushing it out to the entire town that you live in. You could also try radiating it out to your state or province, maybe even the whole country! If you can, see if you can send that feeling out to the entire world. See how that feels.
Coming Back to the Heart
After you’ve gone as far as you can, come back into your heart center. Check in with how your chosen emotion is feeling. You’ll likely find that it’s even more prevalent than it was when you first brought it up.
The amazing thing about emotions is, when we focus on them and let them expand, they grow. And this goes for both negative and positive emotions.
The Final Check-In
Finally, check in with how you feel overall. What is your state now? If your eyes are closed, you can open them if you want. Just feel how your body feels. And then think back to the original emotion that you started with and see how far you’ve come.
Living with More Ease
You’ll hopefully find yourself in a much better place. It’s such a simple exercise, but it’s amazing how just a few minutes of focusing on a regenerative feeling and then locking it in by radiating it out can have such a profound impact on your mood.
This Heart Lock-In Technique is a great practice for any time of day. Whether you’re about to start work, heading into a stressful meeting, or coming home to your family, anytime you want to show up and be your best self, give this technique a shot. The more you do it, the more you’ll feel calm and present, make better decisions, and feel more emotionally regulated.
Wrapping Up
So, that’s it. A snapshot of the Heart Lock-In Technique. It can help manage ADHD symptoms and make them feel a lot more manageable. Give it a try and see the difference it can make to your life. Until next time, take care!
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