LEWISTON — “HeartMath . . . Mitigating the Effects of Stress” is the topic of an Accenting Your Health program at 1:30 and 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 14, at Central Maine Medical Center.

Monica Dawe, a certified clinical exercise physiologist and member of the cardiac rehabilitation staff at the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute, will lead the program.

A trained HeartMath educator, Dawe will present research, technology and tools that engage “heart intelligence” as a way to proactively mitigate the effects of stress on the body.

Her presentation will include: the science behind heart intelligence; how the heart and brain communicate with each other; why this communication is important for reducing stress and managing emotions; improving the immune system, cognitive function, creativity and more; technology demonstration to show the difference between the impacts of ‘negative’ feelings versus ‘positive’ feelings on the heart’s “coherence”; and simple yet powerful tools to help shift emotions in the moment.

Dawe is certified as an exercise specialist by the American College of Sports Medicine and has worked in cardiac rehabilitation for more than 25 years. She teaches exercise guidelines for cardiac patients, motivation and behavior change, and stress management, including breathing techniques and meditation.

The presentation will be in the Chairmen’s Rooms on the lower level of the 12 High St. medical office building on the CMMC campus.

The program is free.

Interpreter services are available upon advance request.

FMI: 207-795-8448, [email protected].