The Heart Chakra is the fourth primary Chakra in the human energy system. Let’s explore practices on how to heal an Imbalanced Heart Chakra.
Introduction
The Anahata Chakra is the centre of the body and soul. It is believed to be the seat of the Divine, and it is from here that we connect with our higher selves. The Anahata Chakra is also said to be the source of our emotional and spiritual strength.
A well-balanced heart chakra allows us to experience true love, compassion, and forgiveness. We are also able to connect with our higher purpose in life.
On the other hand, an imbalanced Heart Chakra may make us feel disconnected from our spiritual self, and we may find ourselves struggling with relationships. We may also find it difficult to express our emotions.
The Anahata Chakra is located in the centre of the chest. It is associated with the element of Air, and its symbol is a lotus flower with 12 petals. The Anahata Chakra governs our emotions and intuition, our ability to give and receive love freely, and our sense of connection to the world.
The Anahata Chakra is traditionally associated with the element of Air. The air element represents movement, change, and new beginnings. Hence a balanced Heart Chakra also makes us feel confident in our ability to adapt to change. We can also see the beauty in change and let go of things that no longer serve us. In contrast, imbalances may make us feel stuck in our old ways and resistant to change. We may also have difficulty expressing ourselves or connecting with others.
Hence, there are several ways to tell if your Heart Chakra is imbalanced or requires healing. In this article, we will explore different symptoms of imbalances and ways to keep our Heart Chakra balanced and healthy.
Signs of a Balanced Heart Chakra
When our Anahata Chakra is balanced, we feel connected to the world. We also feel confident in our ability to grow and change. There are many signs to affirm that the heart chakra is well and balanced:
- Confidence: You feel confident and optimistic.
- Self-Worth: You have a strong sense of self-worth.
- Love: You can give and receive love easily.
- Emotional Intelligence: You feel emotionally balanced and can respond coherently in tough emotional situations.
- Inner Strength: You have a strong sense of personal power.
- Self-Expression: You can express your emotions freely and authentically.
- Calmness: Having a sense of calm and peace.
- Wholeness: Feeling centered, grounded, and independent.
- Connectedness: A feeling of connection to others and the world around you.
- Self-Love: A sense of self-love and worthiness.
- Healthy Heart: Good physical heart health.
- Energetic: Radiant energy and vitality.
- Purpose: Having a sense of purpose and direction in life.
- Knowingness: A deep inner knowingness and intuition.
- Higher Connection: Having a connection to your higher self, spirit guides, and the Divine.
- Oneness: A sense of oneness with all.
Takeaway
Anahata Chakra is responsible for our ability to love and be loved, as well as our ability to give and receive forgiveness. When this Chakra is balanced, we can give and receive love freely, without attachment or expectation. We can also forgive easily, move on from past hurts, and feel a sense of wholeness within.
Symptoms of an Imbalanced Heart Chakra
Heart Chakra imbalances can also manifest in a variety of ways, both physically and emotionally. When the Anahata Chakra is out of balance, we may feel disconnected from Nature or unable to grow and uplift ourselves emotionally. We may also feel jealous or resentful of others. Some common symptoms include:
Physical Symptoms
Heart Chakra imbalances can manifest as physical symptoms in the Heart and chest area, such as:
- Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat
- Chest pain or tightness
- Heart Stroke
- Shortness of breath
- Arrhythmia
- Hypertension
- Blood pressure problems
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Circulation problems
- Anemia
- Immune system disorders
- Inflammation
- Endocrine system disorders
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Excessive mood swings
- Irritability
Emotional Symptoms
When emotional imbalances occur in the Heart Chakra, we may feel disconnected from others and unable to give or receive love. We may also hold onto resentments and bitterness. We may have a lack of self-love or be overly critical of ourselves. Other symptoms of an imbalanced Heart Chakra include:
- Turmoiled Emotions: Emotional instability and constant outbursts
- Disconnectedness: Feeling disconnected from your emotions or others, emotionally or spiritually
- Lack of Self-Expression: Difficulty feeling or expressing certain emotions
- Numbness: Feeling numb or emotionally deadened
- Fear: Excessive fearfulness or anxiety
- Depression: extreme sadness or hopelessness
- Mood swings: consistent anxiousness or sudden outbursts of anger
- Communication: Relationship problems due to communication difficulties
- Addiction: Substance abuse or self-destructive behaviors
- Lack of Forgiveness: Difficulty in forgiving or feeling forgiven by others.
- Heaviness: feeling like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders
- Blocked: feeling closed off and unable to give or receive love
- Stress: constantly feeling anxious or stressed
- Unloved: feeling like you’re not worthy of love or happiness
- Distrust: having difficulty trusting yourself or others
- Discontent: consistently feeling that you’re not living your best life
- Lack: feeling like something is missing in your life.
Takeaway
When the Heart Chakra is imbalanced, we may feel disconnected from our emotions, spirituality, and intuition. We may also feel out of balance, anxious, or stressed. Other symptoms of an imbalanced heart chakra include feeling like you’re not good enough, feeling closed off emotionally, and feeling like something is missing in your life. Further physical symptoms may manifest as malfunctions and diseases in and around the heart and chest area as well as in functionalities of the physical Heart.
Signs of Overactive Heart Chakra
When your Heart Chakra is overactive, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Feeling anxious or restless
- Feeling like your Heart is racing or pounding
- Having difficulty in breathing
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
- Feeling like you’re going to faint
- A racing heart or heart palpitations
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Hyperactivity
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Chest pain or tightness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headache
- Sweating
- Extreme fatigue
Takeaway
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consider them and take some supportive measures. An overactive Heart Chakra may also be a symptom of an underlying medical condition, so it is important to get a professional opinion. For the minor signs, some self-healing measures should suffice.
Quick Steps to Manage Overactive Heart Chakra
Step 1: Acknowledge your feelings and experiences. Don’t try to push them away.
Step 2: Find a creative outlet for your emotions. This could include writing, painting, music, or any other activity that allows you to express yourself.
Step 3: Spend time with Nature. Go for walks, sit in the park, or spend time outdoors.
Step 4: Connect with loved ones. Spend time with people who make you feel safe and loved.
Step 5: Practice meditation or mindfulness. This can help you focus on the present moment and let go of negative thoughts or emotions.
Step 6: Seek professional help if necessary. If you’re finding it difficult to manage your emotions, don’t hesitate to reach out to a therapist or counselor.
Signs of Underactive Heart Chakra
When your Heart Chakra is out of balance or underactive, you may experience any or all of the following signs and symptoms:
- Feeling closed off, disconnected, and alone.
- Feeling unloved, unworthy, and undeserving of love.
- Having difficulty in giving and receiving love.
- Holding onto anger, resentment, sadness, and grief.
- Feeling disconnected from your emotions.
- Feeling disconnected from your intuition.
- Feeling disconnected from your spiritual self.
- Having difficulty trusting other people.
- Having difficulty trusting yourself.
- Feeling guarded and protective of yourself.
- Having difficulty in opening up to others.
- Having difficulty in taking risks.
- Constantly living in fear or with a lot of anxiety.
- Chronic fatigue or exhaustion.
- Weakened immunity.
- Physical ailments or conditions affecting the Heart, lungs, and breasts.
Quick Steps to Manage Underactive Heart Chakra
An underactive Heart Chakra can lead to feelings of insecurity, anxiety, and depression. If you suspect that your Heart Chakra is out of balance, there are several steps you can take to restore the balance:
- Understand what your Heart Chakra represents.
- Determine if your Heart Chakra is underactive.
- Be mindful of your thoughts and emotions.
- Practice self-love and compassion.
- Nurture your relationships.
- Get in touch with Nature.
- Balance your energy levels with chakra-balancing techniques.
- Live an authentic life.
- Perform self-care activities such as meditation and yoga to rebalance your Heart Chakra.
Best Practices to Heal the Heart Chakra
If you suspect your Heart Chakra requires healing, there are several things you can do to help bring it back into a healthy state, including:
1. Spend time with Nature.
One of the best ways to heal the Heart Chakra is to spend time with Nature. Spend time surrounded by the beauty of the natural world and take in the fresh Air. This will help you feel more connected to life and bring peace and calm.
2. Connect with your Heart.
Put your hand over your Heart, close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. As you breathe, feel the love emanating from your Heart. Imagine your heart opening and sending out love to those around you.
3. Practise self-love.
Another thing you can do for your Heart Chakra is to practice self-love. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion. Write yourself a love letter or take yourself on a special date. Do something that makes you feel good, and let yourself feel the love.
4. Forgive yourself.
If you’re holding onto resentment or bitterness, it’s time to let it go. Forgive yourself for whatever it is you’re holding onto. This will help to clear the way for more love to enter your life.
5. Express your feelings.
If you’re feeling disconnected from others, it may be because you’re not expressing your feelings. Don’t bottle up your emotions—let them out. Talk to a friend, write in a journal, or express yourself through art or music.
6. Spend time with loved ones.
One of the best things you can do for your Heart Chakra is to spend time with those you love. This will help you to feel more connected and loved. Spend time laughing and enjoying life together.
7. Do something nice for someone else.
Another wonderful way to heal your Heart Chakra is to do something nice for someone. Pay it forward, and watch the love come back to you.
8. Meditate on love.
Sit quietly, close your eyes, and focus on your breath. As you breathe in, imagine love entering your Heart. As you breathe out, imagine sending love out into the world.
9. Chant or sing.
Chanting or singing can be a great way to balance the heart chakra. Choose a mantra or song that resonates with you, and let the vibration of the words fill your Heart.
10. Wear green or pink.
The colors green and pink are associated with the heart chakra. Wearing these colors can help to balance and heal this Chakra.
11. Get a massage.
Massage is a great way to release tension and promote relaxation. It can also help to open up the heart chakra.
12. Practice yoga.
Yoga is a great way to balance the mind, body, and spirit. Many heart-opening yoga poses can help to balance the heart chakra.
13. Eat heart-healthy foods.
Eating foods that are good for the Heart can also help to balance the heart chakra. Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains in your diet.
14. Aromatherapy.
Certain essential oils can also help to balance the Heart Chakra. Try diffusing lavender or rose oil or placing drops on your pulse points.
15. Get acupuncture.
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves placing needles at specific points on the body. It can be used to help balance the Heart Chakra.
16. Sound therapy.
Listening to certain sounds can also help to balance the Heart Chakra. Try listening to soothing music or the sounds of Nature.
17. Reiki.
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique that can balance the chakras. A Reiki practitioner will place their hands on or near the body and channel energy into the chakras.
18. Crystals.
Certain crystals can also help to balance the Heart Chakra. Try carrying or wearing green calcite, rose quartz, or rhodonite.
19. Get a psychic reading.
Reading a psychic or medium can help you understand the state of your Heart Chakra and what you need to do to balance or heal it.
20. See a healer.
If you’re having trouble balancing your heart chakra, seeing a professional energy healer can be helpful. They can help identify any blockages and guide you on how to clear them.
Best Practices to Open and Balance the Heart Chakra
Following the practices mentioned below, you can open, balance, and activate your Heart Chakra. They will help you to feel more connected to others and to experience more love in your life.
- Give and receive love: Another great way to open and balance your heart chakra is to give and receive love. Spend time with people you love and do things to make them feel loved. At the same time, be open to receiving love from others.
- Be kind and compassionate: One of the best ways to keep your Heart Chakra balanced is to be kind and compassionate. Show kindness and compassion towards yourself and others, and let that positive energy flow.
- Forgive yourself and others: One of the most important things you can do for your Heart Chakra is to forgive yourself and others. If you’re holding onto anger or resentment, it will only block the flow of energy in your Heart Chakra. Let go of those negative emotions and allow yourself to move forward.
- Be selfless: Another great way to open and balance your heart chakra is to do something selfless. Help someone in need or perform a random act of kindness. When you focus on giving without expecting anything in return, it will help to balance your Heart Chakra.
- Get in touch with your emotions. One of the best ways to do this is through journaling. Write down how you’re feeling each day, and don’t be afraid to dig deep.
- Meditate on your Heart Chakra. Visualize a green light glowing in the centre of your chest. Focus on this light and feel it opening your Heart Chakra.
- Focus on your company. Surround yourself with people who make you feel good. This will help to open your Heart Chakra and allow more love.
- Be grateful. An attitude of gratitude is one of the best ways to open your Heart Chakra. Each day, take a few moments to reflect on the things you’re grateful for. This could be anything from the food on your table to the roof over your head.
- Practice Tai Chi or ancient Heart Chakra activation techniques. These ancient practices can help open and balance the body’s energy centers, including the Heart Chakra.
The Bottomline
The Heart Chakra, or Anahata in Sanskrit, is the fourth primary Chakra. It’s located at the centre of the chest and is associated with love, compassion, and empathy. A balanced Heart Chakra makes us feel confident in giving and receiving love. We’re able to forgive others and ourselves, and we have self-love. We feel connected to the people and world around us.
However, an imbalanced Heart Chakra may make us feel disconnected from others, unable to give or receive love. We may have a lack of self-love or be overly critical of ourselves. We may also hold onto resentment and bitterness. Other symptoms of an imbalanced heart chakra include anxiety, chest pains, and difficulty breathing.
Among the best practices to heal and balance the Heart Chakra is to spend time in Nature, practice yoga or meditation; engage in heart-opening activities such as reiki or other energy healing modalities; make time for self-care, and do things that make you happy; spend time with loved ones and close friends; healthily express your emotions; be compassionate towards yourself and others; forgive yourself and others, and practice gratitude and appreciation.
If you want to learn how to balance, unblock and activate your Heart Chakra and other chakras, refer to our detailed course ‘Understanding Chakras.’
