08/04/2025
Deep breaths in your nose and out your mouth is the quickest way to stimulate the vagus nerve. This is a key component of the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps us to “rest and digest,” rather than the sympathetic nervous system which is responsible for “fight, flight, and freeze” responses when stressed.
4 types of deep breaths include:
🥨 breaths: cross arms and legs tight while you inhale and then relax everything on the exhale
❤️ and belly breaths: place one hand on your heart and the other on your belly for grounding and relaxation while you breathe
Lazy 8️⃣ breaths: track the shape with your finger, starting in the middle, then breathe in as you go up and around 1 side of the shape, and exhale as you cross through the middle and trace the other half
🎈 breaths: inhale and bring arms up slowly over your head like you’re a balloon filling with air. Then, exhale with loud raspberries as if your lips are making the sound of a deflating balloon flying through the room
