Dr Jonathan Fisher is a cardiologist in Charlotte, South Caroline who has spent 10 thousand hours working on his own anxiety over the past 15 years. I know him as one of the most holistic colleagues I have in the world.
In this article he writes beautifully about the Mind – Heart connection and what can be done about it.
There is little doubt that meditation of deep relaxation techniques, such as Autogenic Training – if practised regularly – can have a profound effect, not only on our minds but on our hearts as well. The key is to ask the question: ‘What can I do to help my anxiety?’ To me the first step to learn to meditate or learn breathing techniques that have a profound effect on your blood chemistry – especially the balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Pharmaceuticals purely for anxiety (ie benzodiazepines) are highly addictive and no long-term solution at all. Anxiety, which Fisher claims has risen 25% globally since Covid can be helpled by psychotherapy but in my opinion a deep relaxation technique practise regularly can be very effective as well as empowering to patients as they see how they can actually take their health into their own hands.